Rhun ap Iorwerth: Thank you for giving way. You talk about what the post of Secretary of State for Wales is. It's quite clear, is it not, that Alun Cairns is Westminster's man in Wales, not Wales's man in Westminster? It is absolutely clear, is it not, that Alun Cairns is reinventing the role of Welsh Secretary as governor-general for Wales? I oppose that in principle, I oppose that as a Welshman, and when...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: Formally.
Rhun ap Iorwerth: There have been a number of developments in my constituency recently whereby defibrillators have been introduced, which have been welcomed in communities across the isle, of course, because they provide safeguards in cases of cardiac ill health, and there are efforts, of course, to introduce further such machines. The latest is an application for one to be provided as part of the introduction...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: All the evidence I've seen suggests that we already know what we need to know—that this is a potentially life-saving procedure. Now, the recent parliamentary review emphasised the role that new technologies can play in providing treatment closer to home, with the emphasis on preventative health through earlier diagnosis. Both of those examples that I've given today are cases where our...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: Yes, that's positive. I look forward to that update. Turning to another issue linked to the slow pace of the introduction of new technologies, the use of multiparametric MRI in the diagnosis of prostate cancer, you will be aware—very aware—that the clinical consensus is that this is a game changer, a real game changer, in the diagnosis of prostate cancer. But only two health boards in...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. Now, Cabinet Secretary, I met this morning with a group concerned with Barrett's oesophagus, which is a condition that, left untreated, can lead to cancer. But it's possible to use a treatment called radio frequency ablation to treat this, before it leads to cancer. In fact, it is clinically proven and its cost benefits are very, very clear. But Wales doesn't...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: 6. Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on funding for defibrillators? OAQ52422
Rhun ap Iorwerth: Thank you, Cabinet Secretary, for your statement today. It's a long list, isn't it, of things that, without question, pose a threat to the delivery of health and social care post Brexit. I was reading a Welsh NHS Confederation policy forum briefing earlier today, bringing together some of their main concerns: supply of workforce, the need for continued recognition of professional...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: Thank you for that response. I have spoken to a number of farmers and representatives who have been assisting them in making applications for the small Glastir grants, and that as a result of concern that payments were taking a long time to arrive. The response I’ve had from the Government is that the payments aren’t late, and, technically, that is correct because no time limit is set in...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: 2. Will the First Minister make a statement on Glastir grant payments? OAQ52433
Rhun ap Iorwerth: Please forgive me for making the obvious intervention. Perhaps you'd like to explain to us and make it clear that that is not as a result of anything like a Brexit dividend, which doesn't exist.
Rhun ap Iorwerth: To return to the figures, with GPs, we know that there is a shortage of GPs in any case, and Government figures published today show an increase in the number of people complaining that they have to wait a long time for treatment, but the number of Welsh speakers has significantly declined too. So, action is needed now. We have seen that the statistics in terms of training places for GPs are...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: Yes, of course.
Rhun ap Iorwerth: The point that I made about the ability to describe symptoms in your first language is equally true whichever language we are talking about, but, of course, there is—I won't even use the words 'special case' for the Welsh language, seeing as we are in Wales. But, of course, the Member makes a perfectly valid point.
Rhun ap Iorwerth: Diolch yn fawr iawn. I've spoken many times here about the importance of workforce planning and I'm very pleased that we are now talking regularly about health and social care workforce planning; both are vital, of course. Look at many of the problems that we face in terms of health and care—capacity, waiting times, integration. Workforce is central, I think, to the answers that we are...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: I will mention both amendments. There are no surprises, it’s fair to say, and I make no apologies for that, because we will be unable to provide the NHS that we want unless we establish a centre for medical education in Bangor and expand medical placements across Wales. And the other amendment: we’re not going to be able to provide the healthcare that we want and the health services we...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: Happy birthday and a long life to an institution that’s done so much for its community and, through its excellence, has done so much to put Holyhead and Anglesey on the global sporting map.
Rhun ap Iorwerth: Thank you very much. Thank you for the opportunity to wish a happy birthday to an institution that’s made a huge contribution to health and fitness on Anglesey, and which also happens to be a centre of sporting excellence of worldwide renown.
Rhun ap Iorwerth: One of the highlights of the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games was Welsh weightlifter Gareth Evans's stunning gold medal-winning performance. His lifting was immense, but just as impressive was the passion he showed in running over to his coach, Ray Williams, to celebrate. Ray himself had realised a dream as a coach, but before coaching, he himself had won gold for Wales at the 1986 games in...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: First of all, I would like to offer my sympathies to all the workers who are going to be hit by this, and I regret once again that we see a very skilled workforce being let down. My concern is the pattern of seeing jobs being cut in Wales, and that the Welsh Government, to all intents and purposes, doesn’t have information about these cuts until the decision has been made. I’m sure that...
