Vaughan Gething: Thank you for the question. Hywel Dda university health board is currently consulting on proposals to transform community and hospital services across mid and west Wales. I expect the health board to follow the process set out in the guidance for engagement and consultation on changes to health services and to encourage it to ensure the public has every opportunity to participate in the...
Vaughan Gething: I do recognise the point the Member is making, and of course, in addition to the traditional paper consultation exercise, there is the challenge of having drop-in sessions, which they've decided to run, where they've got extra sessions that they're putting on through the rest of the consultation period, which doesn't close till, I think, the second week of July. And there's a challenge about...
Vaughan Gething: Well, I just don't accept that at all, and Paul Davies revealed his position at the outset: he is opposed to any change. And look, that's a position for him to take and for him to explain. This is a consultation that the health board are running that takes seriously the challenges it has and will have in the future. I don't have a view on any of the three options that are available, because I...
Vaughan Gething: The Welsh Government has adopted a zero tolerance of fraud, bribery and corruption in NHS Wales, which is unacceptable, as it takes away vital resources intended for the provision of high-quality patient care.
Vaughan Gething: The Welsh Government expects people affected by mesothelioma to receive appropriate treatment and support from the NHS in Wales. This includes support to participate in clinical trials of new treatments.
Vaughan Gething: Hywel Dda university health board is currently consulting on its proposals to transform community and hospital services in mid and west Wales, including Pembrokeshire. I encourage everyone with an interest to engage in the consultation and have their say in helping to shape future services for the region.
Vaughan Gething: I have made it clear the Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Local Health Board must continue to manage local capacity in all settings and ensure that the local emergency system is flexible in responding to peaks in demand, such as those experienced over the busy winter months.
Vaughan Gething: A seamless, integrated service is at the heart of how we improve well-being. The Minister for Children, Older People and Social Care and I have set out expectations for timing and progress with local government leaders, cabinet members, the Welsh Local Government Association council and health board leaders to support the implementation of the parliamentary review recommendations.
Vaughan Gething: Improving health for everyone, especially those in poverty, is a central ambition of 'Prosperity for All'. We are prioritising actions to both tackle the root causes of poverty and target support for people within the most deprived areas of Wales. We are also focused on improving access to healthcare and addressing unhealthy behaviours.
Vaughan Gething: As part of 'Taking Wales Forward 2016-2021' we have committed to provide support and services to veterans and serving personnel in line with our armed forces covenant. We will ensure our veterans continue to receive healthcare that meets their needs and maintain the valuable national Veterans NHS Wales service.
Vaughan Gething: The NHS in Wales is committed to providing the highest quality healthcare, continually improving its services in order to achieve the best outcomes for the people of Wales. When things go wrong we require a full and transparent investigation to ensure learning for improvement.
Vaughan Gething: Diolch, Llywydd. In my statement on the 1 February this year, I confirmed that following the review by the Welsh Government, the Wales Audit Office and Healthcare Inspectorate Wales, under the escalation and intervention arrangements, that Betsi Cadwaladr university health board would remain in special measures.This week marks three years in special measures for Betsi Cadwaladr university...
Vaughan Gething: Since 2015 there has also been a continued investment in the estate and the services to ensure improved access and healthcare for the people of north Wales, with a number of these having been or due to be completed. The major ongoing significant refurbishment work, involving over £160 million of capital investment on the Ysbyty Glan Clwyd site, is due to be fully completed in December this...
Vaughan Gething: I thank the Member for his comments with some questions provided, as well. I'll start with your final point about Ockenden 2, and no, I have not had sight of it; I'm making clear that I expect the health board to take seriously the report on reviewing and improving its governance and to deliver a real-time plan for improvement. I think it's entirely appropriate, because we expect that report...
Vaughan Gething: Thank you for the questions and the comments. I'm happy to state at the outset that I certainly don't see special measures as a permanent status or indeed something that could or should be normalised. It is absolutely different, not just to the rest of the healthcare system, but there is also the fact that there have been real improvements in some areas of activities that I've highlighted in...
Vaughan Gething: Thank you for the series of questions. And, just in terms of the challenges about planned care, I've never stated that the challenges of planned care have been resolved. Far from it. I've said exactly the opposite. The improvement that has taken place has only been part of the improvement required, which is why money was clawed back, which I'm absolutely clear is the right thing to have done,...
Vaughan Gething: On the final point, it's difficult to answer that without some particular examples. So, if you want to come to me with particular examples of where the third sector have been engaged or not engaged, that would be helpful, rather than more general involvement and engagement with the third sector in a wide variety of services, which I can't properly respond to. On the point about the four-hour...
Vaughan Gething: I really do reject the assertion that this Government is abusing people who are waiting for orthopaedic surgery. I think there is an entirely proper scrutiny process to undertake with questions to be asked about the challenges that do exist for your constituents and others, but I do not think that that sort of offensive statement helps anyone, and I don't think it helps a reasonable case...
Vaughan Gething: Formally.
Vaughan Gething: Diolch, Llywydd. Next month marks the seventieth anniversary of the NHS. Nye Bevan’s radical vision, based on the model of the Tredegar Medical Aid Society, transformed health services for millions of people. Today, the NHS and the social care sector are critical to the well-being of our nation. Yet everyone in this Chamber knows that the context for these services has changed...
