Vaughan Gething: I think that is covered in the remit. We expect the assurance to be provided by HIW about current practice, to look at the identified and recognised failings and assure that those are things we have designed out of our system—as an example, the challenge about not properly checking the criminal records check. It’s one thing to say, ‘Well, would that person have passed a records check...
Vaughan Gething: The All Wales Medicines Strategy Group, the AWMSG, has appraised Avastin to treat recurrent or advanced cervical cancer. The AWMSG recommended against its routine use as the evidence for clinical cost-effectiveness was insufficient.
Vaughan Gething: This is a good example of where there are emotionally charged, and understandably so, questions for our national health service to address, and to be properly sensitive and yet robust about our evidence base for actually making choices. And it’s a good example of whether we make choices on an evidence base, about how we use our precious and finite resources, or whether we make choices on a...
Vaughan Gething: I’ve not had any serious or significant thought to undo either the NICE appraisal process for us to withdraw from that, or, indeed, to change the way the AWMSG undertake their appraisal process. We have particular different ways to look at orphan and ultra-orphan medications, recognising the rarity of those conditions. And these are incredibly difficult choices. I recognise these are...
Vaughan Gething: I’m happy to respond to those points now, actually, because in terms of the AWMSG and their transparency, they actually undertake their review meetings in public. People can and do attend. For example, the recent decision where they did not recommend that we take forward PrEP on an all-Wales consistent basis, and we announced a trial, that meeting took place in public and the decisions are...
Vaughan Gething: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. I want to thank Members, not just the committee members for their report, but Members for the debate today, and the range of recommendations that we’ve had an opportunity to discuss, and their contribution to helping us deliver a sustainable workforce for NHS Wales. I recognise, as the committee do too, that there are UK-wide challenges in recruiting and...
Vaughan Gething: I restate my commitment to providing a further response back to Members this year on that work—[Interruption.]
Vaughan Gething: Well, I saw Rhun. I’ll take one, and then I might take another.
Vaughan Gething: We need to look at what is possible. I don’t want to rule anything in or out at this point. I need to see what is possible, and equally not just what is possible, but what will provide us with the greatest return for the service. I’ll take a brief intervention and then I’ll make some more progress.
Vaughan Gething: Well, I think we need to be careful about what we’re trying to do and achieve. We want to understand how we can provide more people with the opportunity to train and undertake part or all of their medical education and training in north Wales. There is a different point though, I think, about how we have a more grown-up set of relationships with colleagues in north-west England, and...
Vaughan Gething: Formally.
Vaughan Gething: I’d like to thank Members for their contributions and the opportunity to respond to today’s debate. It’s worth reflecting that the White Paper that is mentioned in passing actually sets out a series of wide-ranging proposals to take forward health and care services in Wales, because we do aim to put people at the centre of all that we do, and to enable organisations to work better...
Vaughan Gething: I will, yes.
Vaughan Gething: Because on regional partnership boards we have an architecture that we’re developing and working with. They’re part of the remit of bringing together our larger public services with partners to deliver across the health and social—well, the social care and well-being Act. In terms of the governance around clusters, there are opportunities to consider that as we go through this, because...
Vaughan Gething: So, a new people’s voice body for health and care requires primary legislation. I really think, though, that it will be independent, it will have a complaints advocacy as part of its central functions as the White Paper sets out, and, of course, I expect that local and regional participation in the new body and, yes, it will be able to deal with cross-border issues. And I note what the...
Vaughan Gething: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer, and thank you to Huw Davies for another opportunity to speak today in the Chamber, but in particular for using today’s short debate to highlight the importance of accessing high- quality primary care services. Our local healthcare services account for more than 90 per cent of people’s contact with the healthcare system here in Wales. Of all the points...
Vaughan Gething: And that’s the final point to finish on. I am happy to say that, yes, I am prepared to invest some time to try and get people to sit around the same table at the same time. So, both health boards, yourself, and any other local representatives that could and should be involved—. And, of course, to make sure that Pencoed are part of the conversation. So, a conversation with them and with...
Vaughan Gething: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. On 27 July this year, I published the updated neurological conditions delivery plan. This plan reaffirms our continued commitment to ensuring those affected by neurological conditions have timely access to care when they need it and as close to their homes as possible. The plan was first published in May 2014. It focuses on raising awareness of...
Vaughan Gething: Thank you for the large number of questions. I’ll try to run through a number of them, but I’ll be happy, if there are any that I’ve missed in the limited time available, to respond to correspondence directly from the alliance themselves, who of course I meet twice a year. On your point abut NICE guidance, in particular about meeting standards on multiple sclerosis, of course we want...
Vaughan Gething: Thank you for those questions. On your point about the increase in funding, we recognised that it’s a greater priority for us. Having the conditions plan itself has been a focus for attention. I think it’s a fact that reflects we’re better meeting the needs of people within the public, but also the progress in developing treatment. So, I don’t think there’s any suspicion about it,...
