Vaughan Gething: I've noted calls made for additional resources to be allocated to substance misuse services in anticipation of a potential increase in demand as people seek access to treatment or support. So, the Welsh Government will continue to work with area planning boards to ensure that, when this legislation is introduced, subject to the will of the Assembly, these services are there for those in...
Vaughan Gething: Thank you, Llywydd, and thank you to Members who have contributed to today's debate on the general principles of the Bill. There have long been calls for Wales to change its relationship with alcohol across political parties, and I expect this Bill to make a real and material contribution to reducing hazardous and harmful drinking and, ultimately, to save lives. I want to thank Members from...
Vaughan Gething: Formally.
Vaughan Gething: Thank you, Llywydd. I'm happy to indicate that we will, of course, update the regulatory impact assessment. A number of the points made by the Chair of the Finance Committee I tried to deal with in the general principles debate, in particular the points about the voluntary levy and the cross-border issues as well. On your point about a revenue decrease, officials from the Government have...
Vaughan Gething: The Welsh Health Specialised Services Committee is currently reviewing the commissioning of specialist paediatric rheumatology services in Wales. We are awaiting the findings of this review which will inform our decision on the potential for a specialist paediatric rheumatology service in Wales.
Vaughan Gething: The Welsh Government is supporting NHS organisations’ recruitment efforts through our long term campaign. 'This is Wales: Train. Work. Live.' The campaign’s first year focused on GP recruitment and was very successful with additional GPs recruited and record GP trainee fill rates achieved.
Vaughan Gething: The endometriosis task and finish group established last year will produce a report later this month detailing the current provision of endometriosis in Wales and recommendations for improved care pathways, workforce planning and the education and training of staff involved in providing endometriosis services for NHS Wales.
Vaughan Gething: 'Taking Wales Forward', our five-year strategic plan includes a specific commitment to meet the healthcare needs of our veterans. In addition we have ensured a dedicated armed forces champion in each health board to advocate for veterans and serving personnel to ensure their needs are reflected in local service plans.
Vaughan Gething: The Welsh Health Specialised Services Committee is reviewing the commissioning of specialist paediatric services in Wales. We are awaiting the findings of the review which will inform our decision on the potential for a specialist service in Wales.
Vaughan Gething: Offenders should have equitable access to health services both in the secure estate and community settings. Local health boards have responsibility for health services in public sector prisons in Wales which are governed by partnership boards, co-chaired by the prison governor and representatives from the local health board.
Vaughan Gething: Reducing inequality is a central ambition of 'Prosperity for All'. We are taking action through legislation, through cross-Government programmes and policies and through funding of targeted or place-based projects and initiatives.
Vaughan Gething: Yes. Health boards in Wales are responsible for providing appropriate rheumatology services for their population. These services are provided in line with the directive for arthritis and chronic musculoskeletal conditions, which is currently being refreshed.
Vaughan Gething: Yes, I recognise the Member's consistent interest in the issue, including the debate that he helped to lead in July of last year. I indicated at that time that I was aware that there was a review being undertaken by WHSSC, as well as work on refreshing the directive. I said at the time that I'll take proper account of what the WHSSC review highlights, and I'm happy to repeat that assurance...
Vaughan Gething: Yes, that's part of the work that health boards need to undertake, and having a refreshed directive on the care they need to provide is part of that, to understand the care they need to provide and the workforce that will be needed to do that. And I'm also aware of Mr Camilleri's pending retirement in the not-too-distant future. So, there is some urgency about this matter and it can't be...
Vaughan Gething: Well, as I've indicated, this is an area of service review that's being undertaken. So, the WHSSC review will help us to understand, as well as the broader responsibilities of health boards that I indicated in the first part of my original answer to the question. So, it is about understanding what we need, where responsibility lies, and then seeing that provision actually take place. So, I'm...
Vaughan Gething: Thank you for the question. Tackling sepsis remains a top patient safety priority in Wales, with work continuing through the 1000 Lives improvement programme, which I know the Member will be aware of. That is to raise awareness and ensure early detection and treatment of patients with sepsis. This work includes peer review, as well as improving practice outside of acute hospital settings.
Vaughan Gething: Greater awareness amongst our clinical staff is one of our priorities, to detect symptoms and then to act appropriately. And that is work on the new system, the early warning score system—the first country to introduce it in 2012. That's helped us to improve on our record on sepsis. The outcomes that we then deliver—there's been a significant fall in deaths in Wales from sepsis in the...
Vaughan Gething: Yes. And, again, I welcome the recognition that you start off with about our national health service staff and other emergency service workers, local government workers, the third sector, and citizen volunteers, who made sure that the work continued. The range of stories of people who helped health service workers get in to do their job is really uplifting. On your specific point, I'm happy...
Vaughan Gething: Well, this is about making our services as accessible as possible. I'm sure, within this building, you'll have seen the range of posters in a variety of locations highlighting that sometimes all you need to do is listen to someone who wants to talk. Part of the challenge is that not everyone wants to talk and not everyone recognises the challenge that they themselves have. The more that...
Vaughan Gething: I recognise what you said at the start of your third question about stigma. There's still an unfinished journey in tackling stigma, both in the way people see themselves and mental health, as well as the way other people see mental health challenges, and in how we normalise the conversation about mental health in exactly the same way as we do with physical health challenges. I remember and...
