Vaughan Gething: Yes. I am aware of the availability of the new treatment. I don't actually think it's specifically an area for the new treatment fund, but I will, nevertheless, look into the differences that you've outlined between north and south Wales, and I'll happily come back and report to Members when I'm in a position to do so.
Vaughan Gething: The packaging of medicines in the UK is governed by requirements set out in guidance issued by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency and by regulations.
Vaughan Gething: The Welsh Government is taking a range of action to raise awareness of the harmful effects of alcohol misuse. These include funding Alcohol Concern Cymru Wales to deliver ongoing campaigns, promotion of the chief medical officer alcohol guidelines, and promotion of the public health messages associated with the Public Health (Minimum Price for Alcohol) (Wales) Act 2018.
Vaughan Gething: We are working closely with health boards and Health Education and Improvement Wales through our successful national and international marketing campaign 'Train. Work. Live.' to recruit and retain healthcare professionals with positive results.
Vaughan Gething: Welsh Government has established the new treatment fund, backed by £16 million a year of additional funding. By the end of October, the new treatment fund had provided patients throughout Wales with faster access to 146 new medicines for a wide range of medical conditions.
Vaughan Gething: The health board is working to improve the provision of dental services. This includes developing a strategy and the operational detail required to deliver the required improvements. I expect to see sustained action at pace to replace provision lost as a result of practice closures.
Vaughan Gething: I welcome NICE’s consultation. The draft guideline is consistent with the recommendations made in July by the Welsh mesh and tape task and finish group in relation to the use of non-surgical options as a first resort and other key aspects of clinical practice.e.
Vaughan Gething: Mark Drakeford.
Vaughan Gething: Thank you for the question. Cwm Taf Local Health Board is working in partnership with Interserve on the refurbishment of Prince Charles Hospital. The Welsh Government monitors the project in consultation with the health board.
Vaughan Gething: Thank you for the questions. On the slightly mischievous suggestion that there should be a ban on future contracts, well, we'll take a prudent approach to anybody bidding for a future contract within the national health service or any other major capital challenge where the Welsh Government is seeking to award a contract. And, obviously, the challenges around the financial health of this...
Vaughan Gething: 'Yes' is the simple answer, because I've actually discussed this matter yesterday with the chief executive of NHS Wales, so this is a matter that was on my mind before the topical question, because I am obviously concerned to make sure that the works are safe and that there is adequate monitoring of the risks and that risks are still acceptable, both to the public purse and obviously the...
Vaughan Gething: To be fair, I think the responses that have been given today, and indeed the information provided directly by the local Member in setting up her questions, reinforce that this is not a new contract, this is a contract that was awarded several months ago. It is a contract on which the health board has already looked again at the potential risks involved in continuing with the work or not...
Vaughan Gething: Apologies.
Vaughan Gething: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer, and my apologies for being stuck in another meeting, when I thought the clock had plenty of time, and it did not, and I apologise to Members who have been waiting for the debate to start. But I am pleased to have this opportunity to open the debate and move the motion on the paper, centring upon Professor Gerry Holtham's report on paying for social care....
Vaughan Gething: We have made enormous progress in improving healthcare and tackling illness, which is helping us to live longer. Equally, we're making significant improvement in the provision of social care, taking forward the approach set out in the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014. The nature of social care in Wales today seeks to be co-productive, based on what matters to people, by...
Vaughan Gething: Thank you, Llywydd, and I'd like to start by thanking Members for their contributions this afternoon. Today's discussion has helped to continue, if not open, a debate that we do need to have on paying for social care. And our aim in bringing this debate today is twofold: to continue to identify the issues and implications in respect of options for the long-term financing of social care costs...
Vaughan Gething: Thank you for the question. There is good evidence that many general practitioner consultations are for minor ailments that could potentially be dealt with effectively by a community pharmacist, with medicines readily available from pharmacies without a prescription. Choose Pharmacy means that these ailments can be safely and accurately diagnosed with no need for medical interventions.
Vaughan Gething: Yes, I'm happy to indicate that the consultation, as you indicate, is nearly finished, but it is a consultation. Because there is evidence that some over-the-counter medication does not represent good value, either in terms of value for money or efficacy, as well. So, I think it's quite right and proper to review that information and then to come up with new guidance. There is always, though,...
Vaughan Gething: Yes, there is a challenge here about generic medications being more widely available and used within our whole healthcare system. There is then the related, but slightly different, challenge of making best use of the skills of our staff within the system, and pharmacists are absolutely within that domain. We've spoken on a number of occasions, in this place and outside, about making better...
Vaughan Gething: If you write to me with the details, I'll make sure that an appropriate response is provided. Of course, you will understand that I can't intervene in individual treatment matters, but I'm more than happy to make sure that a proper response is provided, and I recognise the urgency with which you raise the matter.
