, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
The elective care expert group has started its work and is developing a delivery plan for up to 10 elective care hubs across Wales, with recommendations due by the end of 2026. The group is clinically led and brings together senior surgeons, nurses…
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Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
Dirprwy Lywydd, surgical hubs are central to our plans to reduce waiting times and improve access to planned care. We have committed £25 million capital funding to support the development of elective care, surgical and diagnostic hubs across Wales. An expert…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
Thank you for the question. I'm afraid looking at it from that lens is overly simplistic. That's tantamount to saying, 'Let's stop development in the estates, because we need to put more money into nursing, or more money into the clinical sector.' It's not…
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Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
We are taking clear action to decarbonise the health and care system and strengthen climate resilience. The 'NHS Wales decarbonisation strategic delivery plan' and 'Decarbonising Social Care in Wales' set out how the sector will contribute to Wales's…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
Dirprwy Lywydd, I agree that this is more than just a simple inconvenience. When patients are awaiting a diagnosis or a treatment, poor communication can add significant distress and uncertainty. Patients shouldn't be passed between organisations to obtain…
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Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
Patients deserve clear, timely and compassionate communication throughout their care. We are strengthening accountability for patient experience, improving how NHS bodies share information and expanding the NHS Wales app and joined-up records so that people…
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Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
It's probably important to set out that I don't set, as Minister, targets for each individual health board; it's the health boards themselves that deliver clinically in their areas, so it's up to them to deliver based on their ability to do so. But you do…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
Diolch. Dirprwy Lywydd, I'm not sure if I should declare an interest: I used to be a staff member for the British Heart Foundation many years ago, since the Member referenced the British Heart Foundation in his question. But, on to the substantive point, I…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
Our programme for government commits to prioritising the prevention of ill health through a cross-Government approach and development of a public health strategy. It also includes a commitment to strengthen national clinical pathways for cardiovascular care…
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Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
Thank you. I think you're right, the programme for government did list a non-exhaustive list of a number of health issues that are related to people in Wales. When I say 'non-exhaustive', it means that there are others out there that we will be tackling and…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
Dirprwy Lywydd, I'd like to thank the Member for that line of questioning. Now, the programme for government is an excellent piece of work—many here would agree. But the job of the programme for government isn't to set out the absolute detail of every piece…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
That's an interesting question, because the structure that we have around the accountability framework is a legacy of your Government, something that my predecessor, Edwina Hart, had set up originally back in 2009. I'm not happy with the current…
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Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
Not that I am aware of, Ken, but if you are aware of any issues that you think should be brought to my attention then please do so.
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Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
The Member is right; it is frustrating that the planning process can hold things up. That's why we will be working with the Minister for planning, Siân Gwenllian, here, on identifying how we can improve that planning process for essential infrastructure. But…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
Because we're taking action on this. I've spoken to the BMA several times before being in this position and since about the importance of primary care and GPs and their roles. They are crucial, you're quite right. If we are going to tackle your first question…
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Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
Thanks to the Member for giving me the opportunity to once again respond to questions around waiting lists, which I have exercised quite often over the last few months, so whatever I say won't be new. You are quite right that the numbers are going up…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
Thank you. You make an important point there about the fact that, if people can't access their healthcare, then they have to pay, and it's not exactly free at the point of delivery then. As I said, this is an issue where WAST is conducting a current review…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
Thank you for that supplementary question, which makes a crucial point about the access to public transport and the links of public transport to our health organisations. I was at Llantrisant Health Park recently—you might have seen the new development…
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Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
You're absolutely right to highlight the impact that cancellations can have on some of the most vulnerable people in our communities. Access to healthcare isn't just about the appointment itself, as you rightly say; it's also about ensuring that people can…
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Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
Thank you for the question. The NHS Wales Joint Commissioning Committee holds the Welsh Ambulance Services University NHS Trust to account through routine performance scrutiny, including cancellation trends, causes and geographical patterns. WAST’s…
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Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
Thanks for the question, and we do appreciate and understand that a lot of people, organisations and businesses across Wales will be feeling the squeeze over the coming months as energy costs increase. My officials are continuously monitoring the situation…
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Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
Thanks for that. You do make a very important point about accessibility in rural communities, or the lack of accessibility. That's why this Government has put forward the rural-proofing plan, so that, whenever a policy is developed or whenever anything is…
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Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
Thank you. Dirprwy Lywydd, the Member makes an important point there in terms of the role of integrated care closer to home, and, of course, that's what we're trying to do at the moment. We have delivered on the commitment that we made during our first 100…
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Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
In line with our programme for government commitment, our integrated community care system framework brings health, social care, housing and third-sector partners together around local needs. Through the regional integration fund and integration and…
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Short Debate: The importance of local services—Protecting the future of Withybush hospital
Llywydd, it's also important to be clear about where the responsibilities lie. Under the current statutory framework, it is the responsibility of NHS organisations to make decisions about the form of local services, acting within their statutory duties and…
