Heledd Fychan: What steps is the Welsh Government taking to ensure that patients who need urgent medical surgery receive it within a reasonable timeframe?
Heledd Fychan: Do you not think that the biggest threat to media at present is the UK Government? If you look at what it's doing to the BBC, do you not admit that there is the risk to the future of S4C? Because of what you've outlined, the relationship between S4C and the BBC is crucial, and yet the UK Government is placing that at threat, which is why we need the devolution of broadcasting, so we can...
Heledd Fychan: For decades, Plaid Cymru has campaigned for the devolution of broadcasting and communications powers to Wales. Today's announcement is therefore an important and historic moment as we move a step closer to this following the formation of the expert panel. In fact, we can trace this struggle back to the 1970s, before some of us here today were born, with calls from Plaid Cymru and Cymdeithas...
Heledd Fychan: I'm not sure where to start with that.
Heledd Fychan: What are we trying to fix? A democratic deficit. I do not believe we should go cap in hand to the UK Government in terms of the future of broadcasting and the media here in Wales. We should not have to ask for permission to have content in our own official languages here in Wales. We have seen cut after cut to S4C, and yet we are supposed to be grateful because they have now pledged. We do...
Heledd Fychan: She goes on to say that it would be unforgivable if Wales were to miss out on this golden opportunity. I know that Adam Price questioned you on this last week, but, with over a week having passed since that crucial fixture, what support has already been provided by the Welsh Government to the FAW, and what support will be provided over the next few months?
Heledd Fychan: Thank you, First Minister. Clearly, a number of things have changed since the strategy was drafted, including the pandemic and, more recently of course, the fact that the Wales men's football team have qualified for the World Cup. As Laura McAllister wrote in a column in the Western Mail over the weekend, and I quote:
Heledd Fychan: 'The potential benefits for football are vast, but so, too, is the potential to generate lasting spin-off success for Wales off the field too. It's all about that word "legacy’", but we need to get our act together and move fast if we are to strategically co-opt sport, supported by our wider cultural offer, as a way of amplifying Wales’ global profile and attract the world to Wales to...
Heledd Fychan: 4. What progress has the Welsh Government made on implementing the International Strategy for Wales? OQ58192
Heledd Fychan: Thank you, Llywydd. My question is very similar. Clearly, Jack Sargeant and myself are pursuing the same point. I think the concern that we have is that there is no formal support, and I was wondering whether there was a role for the Commission to assist these staff members. Certainly from the experience of a member of staff in my team, he has had to campaign alone and has found that he's had...
Heledd Fychan: 3. What steps is the Commission taking to ensure that the pensions of staff and Member support staff are decarbonised? OQ58133
Heledd Fychan: Thank you, Minister, for today's statement. Evidently, it's very important that we do have a specific statement like this on education because, as we've heard already, the role of teaching and raising awareness from a young age is vital if we genuinely want to create a nation where racism doesn't exist. We know from speaking to many of the people that we represent that experiences in school...
Heledd Fychan: Thank you, Deputy Minister, for your statement today. There are many things that you outlined that I would of course welcome, in particular your comment in relation to the role that national organisations and local cultural sectors have to play in creating an anti-racist Wales. And to become anti-racist, of course, it is important that we are clear today why this action plan is so necessary....
Heledd Fychan: 'The NHS isn't fit for purpose and people are dying waiting for treatment.'
Heledd Fychan: That's a doctor telling a patient to go private, and speaking those words. Is any consideration being given to placing Cwm Taf Morgannwg into special measures? And if no such consideration is being given, will you commit to look at this further as a Government?
Heledd Fychan: Thank you, First Minister. I'm sure you'll be aware that Healthcare Inspectorate Wales is currently conducting a review focusing and assessing the quality and safety of discharge arrangements for adult patients back into the community from inpatient mental health units within Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board. This follows a number of sad cases that have been reported in the media,...
Heledd Fychan: 7. How is the Welsh Government working with Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board to improve mental health services? OQ58134
Heledd Fychan: No, thank you. Staff can enrol themselves—[Interruption.] You didn't take an intervention from me, so, please—
Heledd Fychan: May I continue, please? Thank you. Staff can enrol themselves into an ESG option available, but need to know which questions to ask. My team member has now been provided with the details—[Interruption.] May I speak, please? Thank you—of the pension fund manager so that this can be followed up. However, and I quote, my team member told me, 'As a member of staff, I find that I am having to...
Heledd Fychan: I could not agree more with my colleague there. I think Jack was right in the motion to note progress in relation to our own pension funds as Senedd Members, but it may be surprising to some Members here today that the same is not true for our staff. In fact, it is an issue one of the members of my team has been trying to get to the bottom of since starting with me. The person had, in fact,...
