Caroline Jones: I thank the Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee for their report on the blue badge scheme in Wales. I want to place on record my thanks to the clerks and all those who gave evidence during the inquiry into the eligibility and implementation of the blue badge scheme in Wales. I joined the committee towards the end of the inquiry, so I would like also to express my thanks to...
Caroline Jones: Certainly.
Caroline Jones: Thank you very much, Nick. The Welsh Government must get over its reticence to instruct local government, for the sake of the thousands of disabled people let down by the implementation of the blue badge scheme in Wales. The Welsh Government must accept all the committee's recommendations. We must ensure the blue badge scheme application process is fair, swift and efficient. The application...
Caroline Jones: She loves you too, Alun.
Caroline Jones: Diolch, Llywydd. Minister, we are, once again, battling an outbreak of measles and mumps amongst university students. Around 30 suspected cases of mumps have hit students at Cardiff University, Cardiff Metropolitan University and the University of South Wales. This follows the loss of the UK's measles-free status earlier this year, just three years after we were rid of one of the world's most...
Caroline Jones: Thank you for that answer, Minister. Of course, one of the biggest hurdles to increasing vaccination rates is the rise of online misinformation and, as you mentioned, the anti-vax movement. When celebrities and so-called experts are spreading myths and indeed telling lies about vaccines on Facebook and Twitter, it makes the job of Public Health Wales so much harder. Minister, what discussions...
Caroline Jones: I thank David Melding for bringing forward this debate and for publishing his 10-point plan for tackling homelessness. I support any moves to improve the way we tackle homelessness and will work positively with any Government to ensure no person is left without the most basic human right of all: the right to a roof over each and every person's head, and a suitable one at that. It's a right...
Caroline Jones: 5. What actions are the Welsh Government taking to improve access to healthcare for patients in South Wales West? OAQ54644
Caroline Jones: Thank you, First Minister. Of course, while there has been some progress in improving access, there is one area in which we are still performing badly, and that is the emergency response times. Over recess, I was contacted by a constituent whose elderly parent suffered a stroke. But, after waiting over an hour and a half for an ambulance, they gave up and drove to A&E themselves. Now, this...
Caroline Jones: 6. What action is the Welsh Government taking to improve transport links in South Wales West? OAQ54625
Caroline Jones: Thank you, Deputy Minister. While somewhat justifiably a lot of the attention has been given to congestion on the M4 around Newport and the impact that it is having on the economy of the entire M4 corridor, my region is also suffering from congestion on the motorway. Junction 48 has seen nearly a 50 per cent increase in traffic in recent years, and junction 47 sees nearly 80,000 vehicles per...
Caroline Jones: Minister, while I accept that the investigation found no evidence of clinical harm and there was no indication that Cwm Taf had been deliberately trying to manipulate the figures, this does raise serious questions about the management of waiting lists, both in Cwm Taf and across all health boards. I'm sure all of us here can list examples of patients being removed from waiting lists because...
Caroline Jones: I'm grateful to the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee for their report into hepatitis C elimination in Wales. As the report highlights, around 14,000 people in Wales are chronically infected with this blood-borne virus that can lead to liver failure and cancer of the liver. It is also estimated that around 12,000 people in Wales have the disease but are unaware of it or are not actively...
Caroline Jones: I'm pleased to speak in this debate today, and thank the Petitions Committee for bringing it forward, and I also thank the family and friends of Paul Ridd for bringing forward the petition also. Mr Ridd's tragic death was a travesty and clearly highlighted serious failings in our NHS when it comes to patients with a learning disability. A lack of training and awareness of learning...
Caroline Jones: Formally. Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. I thank Plaid Cymru for tabling this debate today. For those who didn't attend the BMA's briefing on the current state of general practice in Wales, let's just say that the message was dire. As alluded to in my amendment to this motion, nearly 120,000 GP patients are covered by practices at risk. The BMA produced a heat map covering all health boards,...
Caroline Jones: 8. How does the Welsh Government plan to improve resilience in the health sector? OAQ54675
Caroline Jones: Thank you for that answer, Minister. As you said, once again, our health professionals are gearing themselves up for the winter pressures. So, what steps have you taken to ensure that all areas of good practice identified over the years are embedded into the plans for this coming year?
Caroline Jones: 7. What assessment has the Welsh Government made of how the Welsh agri-food sector can help mitigate climate change? OAQ54674
Caroline Jones: Thank you, Minister. Since you announced the climate emergency here in Wales, what specific steps have you taken to mitigate the effects of climate change on the Welsh agri-food sector? Because I'm particularly concerned with the potential for price rises, which will affect farmers and households alike.
Caroline Jones: Thank you for your statement, Minister, and of course we will work across party for our constituents, because this has been a worrying time for them, as half of Tata's UK workforce work at the Port Talbot steelworks where I live and represent. The fact that there are many further job losses will have a chilling effect on the town of Port Talbot just weeks before Christmas. While politicians...
