Mark Drakeford, the outgoing First Minister of Wales, recently pointed out that the issue of intoxicated individuals overwhelming hospital services is a significant factor behind the Welsh Labour government’s inability to meet A&E waiting time targets. In an interview with the BBC, Drakeford suggested that these alcohol-related cases contribute to the failure of meeting the benchmark that stipulates 95% of patients should spend less than four hours in A&E from arrival to admission, transfer, or discharge. This insight was shared as Drakeford prepares to leave office, with the concern over alcohol’s impact on healthcare being part of a larger challenge his successor will inherit. Wales, along with Northern Ireland, has consistently missed this healthcare target over the past two decades.

The Welsh Labour leadership election is nearing its conclusion, with the announcement of Drakeford’s successor imminent. Candidates Vaughan Gething and Jeremy Miles are in contention to replace him, with the new leader expected to tackle the ongoing pressures on healthcare, including those related to alcohol-related A&E admissions. The transition of leadership is set against a backdrop of criticism and scrutiny over the government’s performance in healthcare. The election process involves nominations and, if necessary, a voting process to recommend a nominee to the King, with the new First Minister expected to conduct their inaugural Questions in April.

Jeremy Miles, a candidate for the leadership, hails from Neath and has been influential in Welsh politics, advocating for equality and the extension of voting rights to 16-year-olds. With a background in law and a commitment to reflecting on his experiences as a young gay man, Miles represents a potential new direction for the Welsh Labour party as they navigate the challenges facing the nation’s healthcare system and beyond.