Rhun ap Iorwerth: Substance misuse is an issue that takes its toll on individuals, on families and on communities across Wales. It affects the health of those who misuse substances—or worse, of course: the number of deaths in Wales as a result of drug misuse has trebled in 20 years. There’s also an effect on the economy, of course, in terms of loss of income for individuals and businesses through employee...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: Thank you. We note this report today and we’ll support the amendments put forward by the Conservatives. I look forward to hearing the Minister’s response to some of my questions, but primarily I look forward to looking back at success in this field after too much failure in the past.
Rhun ap Iorwerth: Halen Môn.
Rhun ap Iorwerth: I was very pleased to hear that Halen Môn, which does have European protection, of course, was one of the last five pieces of Welsh produce that the Minister bought. I have been discussing with Halen Môn this idea that I’ve been seeking support for of developing a food production park on Anglesey. I am very concerned about what will happen to the RDP in years to come. I did hold...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. I’m very pleased to move this amendment and to speak in this debate. I do believe that workforce planning and responding to the problem of a staff shortage, or the crisis of a staff shortage in some areas of the service, are some of the most important matters that face us as we try to plan an NHS that truly answers the needs of the people of Wales. I...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: I’m nearly done.
Rhun ap Iorwerth: There is of course a lot of anecdotal evidence. This is a piece of work that is being done. I believe it’s already under way now. This is a piece of work that is vital. We know from anecdotal evidence that this is happening. We need that empirical evidence, absolutely. I am totally convinced that that is the case. I could also mention, of course, the need to do this and to ensure that we...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: Will you take an intervention?
Rhun ap Iorwerth: What would be your message to the successful small business in my constituency that has decided to put all investment on hold until such a time as the question of Brexit has been resolved? Even if it all does come up roses at the end, we will have lost two, three, four or five years of potential investment in that business.
Rhun ap Iorwerth: Will you take an intervention?
Rhun ap Iorwerth: Will you take an intervention?
Rhun ap Iorwerth: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer, and thank you also to the Cabinet Secretary for the statement. This is an area that is a priority for us, and that’s why we were determined to see a commitment in this area in terms of the post-election agreement. However, we are facing a crisis and, in the face of a crisis of this kind, we need to act as a matter of urgency. There are fewer GPs per head...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: Thank you, Llywydd. Over the past few weeks I’ve visited two pharmacies in my constituency—the Rowlands pharmacy in Llanfair Pwllgwyngyll and the Boots branch in Llangefni. Pharmacies, of course, play a crucial role in the wider provision of primary care, and I would certainly want to see that provision extended. Does the First Minister agree with me that we need to do away with some of...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: May I welcome this statement? We are talking here about two elements of weaknesses in health provision, which at the moment do lead to frustration among patients and their families, and where there is a real feeling that there is some unfairness in the system. I will first of all cover the announcement of the independent review of the IPFR. We in Plaid Cymru certainly felt strongly that it...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: I won’t be speaking for very long, but just to endorse much of what’s been mentioned already by a number of Members, which is what is important as a result of the process that we’ve gone through in terms of the charter is what is being taken action on in Wales. There are threats facing BBC Wales and broadcasting in Wales, without a doubt, as a result of the charter that we’ll have in...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: Certainly.
Rhun ap Iorwerth: You’re absolutely right, and I agree with the points that you raised. There are particular practical issues with making sure that audiences the length and breadth of Wales are able to watch BBC Wales services through their televisions and their radios, and we need to make sure that the numbers of people who receive English regional programming rather than Welsh national programming is...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: Diolch yn fawr iawn, Lywydd. Well, we’ve tabled today’s motion for a very simple reason: we believe the nursing bursary to be valuable and we’re seeking clarity from Welsh Government about their intentions in relation to the future of that bursary. We know that the UK Government has made the decision to scrap the bursary in England and that set alarm bells ringing in Wales, and in...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: Certainly.
Rhun ap Iorwerth: Absolutely, because that training period and working in the NHS is a way to open the door to a future career within those areas where, perhaps, we are finding it difficult to recruit. I think nurses deserve payment for that work that they do—for working the equivalent of a full-time job in the NHS whilst studying. Is it really feasible, for example, for them to work part time in a bar, or...
