Caroline Jones: Diolch, Llywydd. Obviously I’m disappointed that the amendments I’ve tabled have been rejected. I feel that in the interests of our elderly and in the interests of our disabled people who absolutely depend on the provision of toilets to just go about their daily duties, it is those that I’m speaking for. Diolch yn fawr.
Caroline Jones: Formally move.
Caroline Jones: Formally move.
Caroline Jones: I support the intention behind Simon’s group of amendments, and support the majority of them. We cannot, however, support amendment 45. We agree with the need to alert the public about high air pollution but believe this would be better undertaken by local authorities, or even the Welsh Government, but not local health boards. Therefore, we will be abstaining on this one amendment, while...
Caroline Jones: I thank Plaid Cymru for tabling this debate today, and I’m pleased to take part. UKIP firmly believe that the NHS should forever remain in public hands and be free at the point of delivery. We’re also totally against TTIP, and campaigned heavily against it. As long as the patient is seen and diagnosed quickly, the outcome is the important factor here, as long as the service is free to the...
Caroline Jones: Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. I’ve chosen to use my short debate today to highlight the amazing work undertaken by a little-known charity in my region, Bulldogs Boxing & Community Activities. The Bulldogs use the power of boxing to involve, educate and inspire young people and their families across Wales, and within Neath Port Talbot in particular, through a broad, five-pillar personal...
Caroline Jones: Yes, I have.
Caroline Jones: First Minister, the children of service personnel who have been posted overseas are in danger of receiving a patchy education. In postings where there is no official school provision, these children are sent to international schools, which may not follow a set curriculum. As a result, the children may be ahead in some areas and behind in others. What is your Government doing to ensure that...
Caroline Jones: Thank you for your statement, Cabinet Secretary. The sad fact is that while everyone will eventually die, we don’t all die well. Because of the latter, it is essential that we have excellent end-of-life care. I welcome the Welsh Government’s palliative and end-of-life care plan, and the commitment to improve the care given to those approaching the end of their lives, and those they leave...
Caroline Jones: It was wonderful today to attend Dementia Awareness Week—an event outside the Senedd. Thank you for your statement, Cabinet Secretary. The goal of making Wales a dementia-friendly nation is one that we all share. Dementia is now the leading cause of death in Wales, and the number of people affected by dementia is expected to rise by around 40 per cent in the next decade. It is important...
Caroline Jones: What is the Welsh Government doing to support small independent retailers?
Caroline Jones: 1. What economic support is the Welsh Government providing to ensure we have thriving high-street businesses in Wales? OAQ(5)0167(EI)
Caroline Jones: Thank you, Cabinet Secretary. Unfortunately, due to the activities of some of the larger retail chains, who can afford to absorb losses, many of our small independent retailers are going out of business, destroying the diversity of our high streets. What economic incentives can your Government offer to small independent retailers to ensure their continued survival and avoid a future in which...
Caroline Jones: 1. Will the Cabinet Secretary provide an update on progress the Welsh Government is making in reducing waiting times for diagnostic tests? OAQ(5)0170(HWS)
Caroline Jones: Thank you, Cabinet Secretary. Regretfully, far too many people are still waiting far too long for diagnostic tests. We still have nearly 2,000 people waiting more than 24 weeks for diagnostic and therapy services. Diagnostics are the central pillar of our health service, and we must do more to improve access to testing and eliminate waits over 24 weeks. What is your Government doing to ensure...
Caroline Jones: Diolch, Llywydd. Cabinet Secretary, I welcome the nurse recruitment campaign and the news that the Welsh Government is to retain the student nursing bursaries for another year. We need to do all we can to encourage people from all walks of life in Wales to consider a career in nursing. What plans does your Government have to extend the nursing bursaries in the future to ensure that Welsh...
Caroline Jones: Thank you for that answer, Cabinet Secretary. While the nursing recruitment campaign can help address short-term staffing issues, we need to think about the longer term and how we can encourage more Welsh people, particularly Welsh speakers, into nursing. UKIP would like to see the reintroduction of the equivalent of the state enrolled nurse, which would allow healthcare assistants and others...
Caroline Jones: Thank you, Cabinet Secretary. Finally, we not only have to recruit more nurses, but we also must ensure that we retain our existing nurses. According to the RCN, nurses in Wales often do not feel valued by the NHS or the Government. There has been a 14 per cent real-terms fall in nursing pay since 2010, and 69 per cent of nurses work overtime at least once a week. What plans does your...
Caroline Jones: We welcome the First Minister’s written statement yesterday concerning the impact of the recent global cyber attacks on the NHS in England. It is positive to learn that the NHS in Wales was not significantly affected and services were largely uninterrupted. However, we note that 40 cancer patients had treatment interrupted at Velindre hospital in Cardiff, which, for them, must have been...
Caroline Jones: While I agree that it is our duty to help those facing disease, war or famine, the sad fact remains that much of the foreign aid budget is spent inappropriately. And we are not talking about trivial amounts of money here, as we spend £30 million a day on foreign aid, and only about 16 per cent of this budget is used as humanitarian aid or crisis relief. Diane Abbot MP says, what has given me...
