Vaughan Gething: I couldn't tell you about the figures on outcomes from the Newport project, but I'll happily look at it. I realise that that's an issue that has been raised in the Chamber by our colleague Jayne Bryant. But I think that, in many ways, the most important term used there was about 'normal', and breastfeeding is normal and the challenge is that it has been denormalised in lots of situations....
Vaughan Gething: I recognise the points the Member made, following the report that was published following the unannounced inspections that Healthcare Inspectorate Wales undertook in October of last year. Some immediate actions were taken and they have recruited more staff into the midwifery service within Cwm Taf. And it's important to recognise that this isn't just about the point at which people give...
Vaughan Gething: People affected with miners’ pneumoconiosis are able to access the relevant lung function tests, chest x-ray, and, where appropriate, CT scan. We also have important work being taken forward through the respiratory health implementation plan, to improve respiratory services in Wales more broadly.
Vaughan Gething: I would expect the appropriate use of diagnostic tools, as opposed to saying, 'Someone is a former miner, therefore they'll have a CT scan'. It's about understanding the symptoms they come in with. Because, actually, pneumoconiosis in its early stages is asymptomatic—it can take some time, depending on the person and their own make-up, as to when it becomes symptomatic, and how that's done....
Vaughan Gething: Improving health for everyone is a central ambition of 'Prosperity for All' and 'A Healthier Wales'. Welsh Government, in partnership with Public Health Wales, health boards and local authorities, are working to deliver our priorities to improve population health. Central to this is support for targeted interventions to encourage healthier lifestyles.
Vaughan Gething: People regularly ask how the transformation fund can be used to support a different range of activities. I think this is straightforward public health work, and how we support people to quit, how we have healthier messages about not taking up smoking in the first place, and then how we support people to reduce and then stop smoking as well. Our vision is to have a smoke-free society, and...
Vaughan Gething: Our neurological conditions plan sets out the Welsh Government's commitment to ensuring those affected by any kind of neurological condition have timely access to high-quality pathways of care irrespective of where they live and whether they're delivered through hospital or community settings.
Vaughan Gething: I had the opportunity to visit the Bobath centre the day after the launch of the register and it was part of the discussions that we had. So, I'm interested in the evidence base that's going to be generated from the work in Powys, and it's been really helpful that there's been engagement with a range of different people in trying to create that in the first place, because part of what we need...
Vaughan Gething: I announced on 5 March that free sanitary products will be available to all women in Welsh hospitals. I have asked officials to work with NHS Wales to implement this policy as soon as possible.
Vaughan Gething: Immunisation uptake rates in Wales remain at the top of international benchmarks and are comparable to other UK countries. The vast majority of children in Wales are fully immunised before they start school. Immunisation programmes are vital to protect individual children against preventable diseases and to provide herd immunity.
Vaughan Gething: The 'Together for Mental Health in North Wales 'strategy was published in 2017. The local health board’s all-age strategy was co-produced with service users and key partners in north Wales and outlines its approach to responding to mental health issues for people of all ages.
Vaughan Gething: We recognise the importance of people being aware of the symptoms of cancer, including ovarian cancer. It is vitally important cancers are diagnosed in earlier, more treatable stages. If people have concerns about significant symptoms or prolonged changes in their physical health, then we encourage people to see their GP.
Vaughan Gething: The Welsh Government is improving the provision of autism services. As well as implementing the ASD strategic action plan, including through the roll-out of the integrated autism services, I will also issue a code of practice on the delivery of autism services in order to guide service change.
Vaughan Gething: Betsi Cadwaladr University Local Health Board is currently implementing changes to vascular services, which were publically consulted on and agreed in January 2013 as part of its service change programme. We anticipate the service will be operational from 8 April 2019.
Vaughan Gething: The principle of ‘investigate once, investigate well’ is central to 'Putting Things Right'. It ensures complaints are investigated in a proportionate and consistent manner and complainants receive a response that addresses the concerns they have raised. If a complainant remains dissatisfied, they can contact the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales.
Vaughan Gething: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. Today's debate is a subject that we have discussed on numerous occasions. As with Paul Davies, I make no apologies to Members—they will hear me reiterate again why services across our national health service must change if we are to provide the health service that the people of Wales need and deserve. That is true for services not just in Pembrokeshire,...
Vaughan Gething: There will always be contentious choices to be made in every single part of Wales. We, of course, must continue to engage and confront those challenges by having difficult conversations and by addressing them with clinically led choices, because, if we do not, change is less likely to happen until a point of crisis and a service collapses. We either allow change to happen to us in a chaotic,...
Vaughan Gething: Yes, I'd be happy to.
Vaughan Gething: Thank you for the question and the two points. I’m happy to reconfirm the statement set out yesterday by the First Minister. It reconfirms what the health board themselves have said. There is absolutely no threat to 24/7 deliveries being made at the Withybush midwife-led unit, and I do hope that will put an end to the scaremongering that is taking place. It is actively scaring members of...
Vaughan Gething: Thank you, Llywydd. I move the motion. The regulations that we will now debate make necessary changes to domestic legislation applying in Wales on food and food hygiene, and safety, food labelling and compositional standards. These amendments are required to correct deficiencies in the legislation if the United Kingdom leaves the European Union. The Welsh Government's priority is to maintain...
