Rhun ap Iorwerth: I do turn, though, in my second question, to the various pay disputes—nurses in Wales striking for the first time this week, ambulance staff and midwives to strike too. I'm keen to find a way through this, but Welsh Government still isn't even engaging in meaningful negotiations. Now, the Minister says her hands are tied. Let me ask her this: does she even want those hands to be untied,...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: Well, 'hope' was a word used there. I fear that that is the Minister hoping for the best; the NHS isn't going to overcome its problems if the Minister simply hopes for the best. And with more ambulance staff, of course, it's a problem of failing to get patients into hospital, so more staff isn't going to resolve that issue.
Rhun ap Iorwerth: Thank you very much. And in the final health questions of the year, may I take this opportunity to wish the Minister, the Senedd, and everyone working across the health and care services a very 'Merry Christmas'? But it sounds quite an empty greeting, when we look at the challenges that those services face. I truly didn't know what to ask today. There are so many things that I could pursue:...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: Will you take an intervention?
Rhun ap Iorwerth: I would ask you which country you're talking about actually—[Interruption.] But do you recognise that life expectancy has been falling for the first time in many, many generations?
Rhun ap Iorwerth: Thank you very much, Llywydd. I'm losing my voice, I think. I can't overemphasise the significance of this statement. Announcing the budget is one of the highlights of the year in parliamentary terms every year, but the significance is even greater this year, as the Welsh Government has to budget in a difficult economic situation. I agree with the Minister about the economic mess that has...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: Dirprwy Lywydd, we're facing multiple disputes. Multiple unions have balloted on strike action. Ambulance staff are, of course, the latest to prepare to go on strike. The Minister has said again that it's all down to UK Government cuts, and I agree about their economic vandalism and the harm of their ideological-driven cuts to public spending. But, whilst pay is clearly central to these...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: Thank you for that response from the Minister. I also wanted to ask about the shortage of antibiotics. I think we've had quite a comprehensive response there from the Minister. Two other questions from me, again on communication. I was pleased to see the statement coming last night. I've shared that on my social media, in my constituency, and I'm sure other Members are doing likewise, and the...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: 3. Will the Minister make a statement on the Government’s response to threats of industrial action across the Welsh NHS, and on its plans to try to avert such actions through negotiation? TQ696
Rhun ap Iorwerth: May I ask for a debate in Government time on the state of the NHS? As we enter winter, staff are doing their very best, but the situation is impossible. I've heard of a series of incidents affecting constituents over the past few days: one woman in her 80s, concerned that she'd broken her hip, waiting 24 hours on the floor at home for an ambulance; another elderly woman waiting hours in the...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: Good afternoon, Llywydd. Good afternoon, everyone.
Rhun ap Iorwerth: Thank you for that response. There's no doubt that the closure of the bridge has had a negative impact on business. The current economic climate also impacts on how much people spend, but in speaking to business after business, when I hear of a fall of 35 or 40 per cent in trade, which is a figure that's commonly heard—for some it's even more—we obviously need to respond to this. I...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: 1. Will the First Minister make a statement about what support is available to businesses following the closure of the Menai bridge? OQ58854
Rhun ap Iorwerth: Quite simply, decisions taken in Wales need to be scrutinised in Wales, and we ask everybody to support this motion today as a means of ensuring that. Thank you.
Rhun ap Iorwerth: I speak on behalf of Plaid Cymru as co-tabler of the motion. All of us in this Chamber represent people affected by this terrible pandemic: people who have lost loved ones, people who want to know that when this happens again—hopefully not in our lifetimes—that Wales can be prepared, as prepared as possible, and as well armed as we possibly could be to make the right decisions next time....
Rhun ap Iorwerth: Thank you for that response. I too share your frustration that the UK Government has gone back on its word in terms of expenditure post Brexit. The Minister will be aware of the excellent work that's been done under the LEADER programme. I'm particularly grateful to Menter Môn in my constituency for the innovative work that they've led in drawing down funds and starting projects through...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: 6. Will the Minister make a statement on the Government's long-term plans to follow the LEADER scheme? OQ58794
Rhun ap Iorwerth: Emergency primary care units are one of the solutions put forward in order to reduce pressures on surgeries. But, in Ynys Môn, we see that nine of the 10 surgeries that we have on the island have made 278 referrals to the new unit in Ysbyty Penrhos Stanley, while the one surgery that is directly managed by the health board, Hwb Iechyd Cybi, has itself made over twice that number of...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: I did say that retention is perhaps more challenging than recruitment, but we have to ensure that we maintain all the tools needed to bring nurses into the profession, and remember many come not straight from school, but perhaps a little later in life and having to give up another job. They need the backing of that bursary at the current level. On the pay negotiations, Government has to come...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: Thank you very much, and thank you for everybody's contributions to this debate this afternoon. We've heard from Member after Member why we appreciate nurses so much. Yes, we've thanked them on our doorsteps, as we've thanked all staff in the health and care service for their tireless work, but the point comes where we do have to show true appreciation, and that has to include through pay...
