Vaughan Gething: Thank you for those comments and points. I'll deal with your points about air pollution first, if I may. As you know, air pollution, the lead for this across Government is Hannah Blythyn, the environment Minister, but the points that you raise recognise that it's an issue that has an impact right across a range of departments. There is clearly a public health impact. If you're talking about...
Vaughan Gething: Thank you. I'd like to recognise Jenny's role in being a director of The Living Room, which is actually mentioned on page 24 of the report as part of section 7, about how people are helped to access support for people who suffer gambling-related harm—one of a number of positive initiatives. Again, I recognise what you have to say about the power of sport and gaming, either to impart...
Vaughan Gething: Thank you, Presiding Officer. The way that we deliver primary care services is, of course, changing. Digital technology is transforming the way that citizens access their local healthcare. Greater use of digital technology is a key aspect of our vision to deliver the right care, at the right time, and in the right place, as close to home as possible. One of the ways that we are achieving...
Vaughan Gething: The Choose Pharmacy platform also supports the electronic transfer of hospital discharge information to ensure that relevant information about an individual’s medication is shared appropriately between primary and secondary care, and I expect us to do more on making the very best use of the Choose Pharmacy platform. This, combined with access to the patient’s summary record, ensures that...
Vaughan Gething: Thank you. I broadly agree with where you want to be, in that I don't think there's going to be much party difference on where we want to get to in terms of a vision of having a genuinely electronic patient record and having proper access between different parts of healthcare, because within primary care, which this statement is largely focused on, you have GPs, you have a range of...
Vaughan Gething: Thank you for the comments and the substantial question at the end about the IT system in general practice. I recognise what you said about the nurse rostering and organisation system in Wrexham. I still maintain an interest in that and want to see that properly developed in the hospital service. I guess for the hospital discharge part, that's about the discharge between secondary care back...
Vaughan Gething: And I recognise that we have real challenges in moving the health service we have today that people are used to into a different way of communicating, because there are lots of people that will expect to be able to communicate in the remote way that you have done in having an online consultation. So, a number of GPs are already able to and are investing in Skype for Business, which will allow...
Vaughan Gething: Thank you for those questions. On your final point, I think I've answered most of those points in response to Rhun ap Iorwerth, but, as I say, I expect all my officials—if not me, then my officials will be meeting with both the Royal College of General Practitioners and the BMA general practice committee to understand the practical steps that we'll need to take in rolling out a new...
Vaughan Gething: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. As you know, the Welsh Government's aim is for people to have access to the right care, at the right time, and in the right place, and for that to be as close to home as possible. Our planning guidance to health boards each year reinforces this. To deliver on that aim, we need to challenge and break down the traditional medical model of health, with its...
Vaughan Gething: But preaching on the right thing to do often doesn't reach the people we want it to. So, we have to get alongside communities and individuals and help them to make their own choices. There's a role of leadership for people like me, of course, and for everyone else in the Chamber, including those who've departed, health and care professionals, but actually people within their communities,...
Vaughan Gething: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. Across Wales, our health and social care services have faced significant pressures this winter. None of the challenges we face in Wales are unique to us; the same challenges exist right across the UK. It is testament to the compassion and commitment of our staff that the vast majority of people continue to receive the care they need in a compassionate,...
Vaughan Gething: Thank you for the questions and the comments, and in particular your opening and the recognition of the contribution of our staff in what is still the most testing time of the year. I'll start with your final points on the flu season. On the vaccine, we always work with partners across the UK in trying to order and agree on the most appropriate form of vaccine for the most likely strain. With...
Vaughan Gething: Thank you for the questions and comments. Again, I'm grateful, as I'm sure staff are, for the tribute paid again by the Plaid Cymru spokesperson to the manner in which staff have responded to the at times exceptional pressure and demand that we recognise within the system. Turning to your questions, this winter, as with last winter and the winter before, we're seeing health and social care...
Vaughan Gething: Thank you. And thank you, David Rees, for the series of questions, and you're right to highlight not just the professional capability and commitment of our staff, but also the fact that the service runs on the goodwill of those staff as well. I want to try and deal with your final point about telephony issues and elective postponements and district nursing budgets as well. I think it's...
Vaughan Gething: Thank you for the comments and questions. I wish that spring really were around the corner, but, as I said earlier, there can be no guarantee that winter neatly comes to an end on St David's Day. I would say that winter really is different. I just don't think it's correct to say that the pressure is year-round and that it's no different in winter and that we just have a bit more respiratory...
Vaughan Gething: Thank you for that. Actually, on your last point, it is something that the service definitely does look at, because after a cold snap, you can anticipate that from about five to seven days onwards, you'll see an influx of patients as a result of that cold snap. That's part of the extra exacerbation of pressure in January, because of the December cold snap. But, equally, some of the other...
Vaughan Gething: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. I'm happy to start this debate by confirming that the Government will support the motion. And I also want to set out that I won't be able to respond to all of the detailed points that Members have made in the debate, but I have taken the time to listen to each of the contributions and the points that have been made. Of course, I will have the opportunity,...
Vaughan Gething: Actually, as I'll be setting out tomorrow, we're reviewing some of the challenges in mental health service provision, whether it's through CAMHS or local primary mental health services. I'd expect that review to take on board the issues that you've mentioned. But, of course, the challenge about stigma is why we continue to support the Time to Change Wales campaign. I'm delighted David...
Vaughan Gething: Diolch yn fawr, Dirprwy Lywydd. I'm pleased to make today's statement and publish the outcome of the consultation on the 'Services fit for the future' White Paper published earlier today. This is an important piece of work, forming part of the picture for the future of health and social care services here in Wales. The Government remains committed to supporting practical steps that...
Vaughan Gething: Thank you for those questions—I'll take them in turn. On your point about ministerial time-limited appointments, we're always looking to review not just our ability to have a transparent framework for intervention and escalation, but the tools that we then have to intervene and support boards that are not performing as they would wish to or as we would wish them to as well. On your point...
