A new explainer published by the Welsh NHS Confederation and Wales Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA) highlights the contributions of more than 47,600 voluntary organisations and more than 15,000 volunteers who support registered health and care charities across Wales. Darren Hughes, director of the Welsh NHS Confederation, said: "Simply put, the NHS in Wales needs the voluntary sector and volunteers. "It’s not a ‘nice to have’, but is essential, to the NHS, social care and communities across Wales." It calls for sustainable funding and greater involvement of voluntary organisations in health and care planning. Lindsay Cordery-Bruce, chief executive of WCVA, said: "We can’t underestimate the massive contribution of our voluntary organisations and volunteers to health and social care provision here in Wales."