Rhun ap Iorwerth: Will you take an intervention?
Rhun ap Iorwerth: What would be your message to the successful small business in my constituency that has decided to put all investment on hold until such a time as the question of Brexit has been resolved? Even if it all does come up roses at the end, we will have lost two, three, four or five years of potential investment in that business.
Rhun ap Iorwerth: I’m nearly done.
Rhun ap Iorwerth: There is of course a lot of anecdotal evidence. This is a piece of work that is being done. I believe it’s already under way now. This is a piece of work that is vital. We know from anecdotal evidence that this is happening. We need that empirical evidence, absolutely. I am totally convinced that that is the case. I could also mention, of course, the need to do this and to ensure that we...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. I’m very pleased to move this amendment and to speak in this debate. I do believe that workforce planning and responding to the problem of a staff shortage, or the crisis of a staff shortage in some areas of the service, are some of the most important matters that face us as we try to plan an NHS that truly answers the needs of the people of Wales. I...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: I was very pleased to hear that Halen Môn, which does have European protection, of course, was one of the last five pieces of Welsh produce that the Minister bought. I have been discussing with Halen Môn this idea that I’ve been seeking support for of developing a food production park on Anglesey. I am very concerned about what will happen to the RDP in years to come. I did hold...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: Halen Môn.
Rhun ap Iorwerth: Thank you. We note this report today and we’ll support the amendments put forward by the Conservatives. I look forward to hearing the Minister’s response to some of my questions, but primarily I look forward to looking back at success in this field after too much failure in the past.
Rhun ap Iorwerth: Substance misuse is an issue that takes its toll on individuals, on families and on communities across Wales. It affects the health of those who misuse substances—or worse, of course: the number of deaths in Wales as a result of drug misuse has trebled in 20 years. There’s also an effect on the economy, of course, in terms of loss of income for individuals and businesses through employee...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: Diolch, Ddirprwy Lywydd. I am grateful that you’ve allowed me time. I’ll keep it brief—just one question with a little bit of context before. There are several reasons, of course, why we want to hold major sporting events. First, there’s the sporting legacy—the participation, which we would all support. Secondly, there’s the showcase Wales, if you like—the bells and whistles...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: I last week met with a number of GPs from Anglesey and we discussed how we could encourage more young people to aspire to a career as a GP. I’m sure that the First Minister will share my concern about the reduction of 15 per cent in the number of Welsh-domiciled students who have been applying to study medicine. But, I’m sure he would also support my call, and that of the BMA and others,...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: Thank you very much for the opportunity to contribute to this discussion. I rise as a former member of staff of the BBC, and I have direct experience of working in this area in Wales. I know that BBC Wales itself is very eager to make programmes about and for Wales, but BBC Wales is very small, of course, within the wider regime of the BBC throughout the UK. We hear very often the right words...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: And I would urge the Ysgrifennydd to look at the real opportunities that would open up to us from following a Welsh path. Doing things differently, as we’ve seen with junior doctors, really can mean doing things better. I think it’s quite clear that Wales is going to need more doctors and more nurses, more occupational therapists, physiotherapists—you name it—over the next few...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: It doesn’t sound as if a specific assessment has been made; I’m a little surprised about that. The uncertainty we’re facing is in danger of undermining the NHS, and we can’t afford to wait for the Government to take action. We will not go over the problems that Wales is facing now in terms of attracting and retaining doctors, but I will turn towards terms and conditions of the NHS...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: Diolch yn fawr iawn. And I’m sure recruitment and retention in the NHS isn’t helped by UKIP-style rhetoric on migration. Mi ydym ni’n gytûn, gobeithio, Ysgrifennydd, bod yn rhaid sicrhau hawl dinasyddion yr Undeb Ewropeaidd i aros yn y Deyrnas Unedig yn y dyfodol. Ac mae’r Prif Weinidog, yn sicr, wedi crybwyll yn barod bwysigrwydd meddygon, nyrsus ac eraill o dramor i’r NHS. A all...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: First of all, can I say that I welcome the statement from the Cabinet Secretary today? Breaking it up into two parts, on IPFR, quite simply, we welcome the independent review of IPFR and, in particular, the examination of exceptionality. We, as I know the Cabinet Secretary is aware, think that this is core to this issue. This is, of course, a review that has been won by Plaid Cymru for the...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: Will the Minister make a statement on promoting citizenship in schools?
Rhun ap Iorwerth: On that point specifically—and it’s a general point on funding—funding for CAMHS does seem, on the face of it, to have gone down over the past few years. Could you give clarity on whether that is a coding issue of where exactly funding for treating 16-year-olds plus lies within the health service, or whether there has been a deterioration in funding for young people?
Rhun ap Iorwerth: I think you’re absolutely right, and that there are further consequences as well to longer waiting times, as well as just passing the buck, if you like, to other parts of our public services. Mae hi’n berffaith amlwg, rydw i’n meddwl, fod hyd amser aros yn gwneud gwahaniaeth i’r canlyniad yn y pen draw. Mae’r arolwg gan Gofal yn dangos perthynas glir iawn rhwng yr amser y mae rhywun...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: Can I say at the outset that there has certainly been, I think, an improvement in mental health services since the mental health Measure was introduced, but, without a doubt, there are a number of areas where we need further improvement? I also welcome the update from the Government on their delivery plan; it seems to be a step forward from the last plan. There are definite actions here, and...
