Russell George: Thanks, Jenny. I agree with your comments in regards to prevention. I think we do need more beds, but I do agree with you on the general principle, though, because we've already got, as I said in my contribution, 1,000 beds with people who don't need to be in them. So, the big, big problem is the delayed transfer to care. If we can tackle that, that will answer a large part of the issues that...
Russell George: As it stands now, even before the pandemic struck, thousands were waiting over a year for treatment. In fact, that doubled in the year before the pandemic. A&E and ambulance services were already feeling the strain each winter, and the NHS workforce was already facing significant challenges and shortages. So, unfortunately, now, we've got the equivalent of one in five of the Welsh population...
Russell George: Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. Foolish—that is what the then health Minister said to having a plan to tackle the NHS backlogs in Wales before the pandemic is over. And what has that led to? As it stands now, Wales is experiencing its worst accident and emergency waits, longest waiting times for treatment, and second slowest ambulance response times on record. The number of people waiting over two...
Russell George: Minister, can I thank you for your statement today, and also thank you for your briefings to the Health and Social Care Committee on a three-weekly basis as well? Can I welcome much of what you said today? The rules on masks in health and social care settings, though, I do think should not be part of emergency law; that should be repealed given the stable situation we are now in. So, can I...
Russell George: First Minister, I heard your previous answer. The previous Health, Social Care and Sport Committee made a specific recommendation around a national campaign and, in response to that, the then Minister accepted that recommendation in principle. But one of the obstacles was that they didn't see the evidence for a national campaign, and the Minister then said they'd need to see that evidence...
Russell George: Will you take an intervention?
Russell George: Minister, I think the issue that I have, certainly from holiday let businesses in my own constituency, is that 180 days is just not sufficient to be able to fill their accommodation, given the fact that holiday lets are very difficult to let during the winter months. And to have 100 per cent occupancy for 182 days just doesn't seem a realistic proposition at all. I really would like a...
Russell George: Will you take an intervention on that?
Russell George: The point here is, though, that they can't even put their property into the housing market because the planning permissions that were given don't allow for that. So, this is the issue here, where there's an absolute anomaly that needs to be addressed.
Russell George: Supplementary LCM No.4 was referred to the Health and Social Care Committee for scrutiny on 29 March, although the LCM itself was not laid until 5 April. As a committee, we agreed that the Senedd's consent is required for clause 181 because the provision relates to health. Because the LCM was laid during the recess, with a reporting deadline of just three weeks, we had very little...
Russell George: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. I'll run through quickly, then. Can I ask, Minister, about COVID-lite regional hubs? I've gone on about this—I know I've gone on about this, and my predecessor in this position did as well. Tell us when they're going to happen. Tell us when they're going to be in position, because I would really like to know the answer to that today, Minister. And...
Russell George: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. Can I attach myself to the Minister's comments in regard to the NHS workforce and what tremendous work they've done? We can't reiterate that enough, can we, our thanks for all their work over the past two years. Can I thank the Minister for her statement today, alongside publishing the plan to reduce waiting times, and also thank the Minister, of course,...
Russell George: Diolch, Deputy Presiding Officer. I move the motion today, tabled in the name of my colleague Darren Millar. Throughout the pandemic, we have rightly, of course, praised our key workers, haven't we, and our NHS staff for their response to COVID-19. But I don't feel that we have all championed the role of pharmacists enough, which is why I'm very proud today to lead this debate highlighting...
Russell George: Thank you for your answer, Minister. For a major hospital to declare a black alert on a weekday evening, of course, indicates that the NHS in Wales is ill-prepared to support those who need it the most. I'm particularly concerned, of course, for the staff at the hospital, who are under significant pressure, and, I'm sure, will be feeling a sense of being let down themselves. I would like to...
Russell George: Thank you, Minister, for your answer. I recently met with A-level students at Llanidloes High School in my own constituency following one particular student contacting me. I met up with a number of students. They outlined their concerns to me. I followed up with mentioning much of what you've just said now, Minister—I talked about the support package you announced before Christmas. But one...
Russell George: 2. How is the Welsh Government supporting A-level students this year given the impact of the pandemic on their education? OQ57864
Russell George: 1. Will the Minister make a statement on the Grange University Hospital’s declaration of a black alert last night? TQ615
Russell George: Sorry, can I just ask—? I absolutely appreciate what you said in terms of letting the people of Wales make their own judgment calls. I fully agree with what you said in that regard. My question on the health and social care settings, though, was: I agree that it's sensible, of course, for those staff to wear face masks going forward, but my question was on the logic behind not allowing them...
Russell George: Diolch, Llywydd. Sorry for my earlier confusion, I was trying to remove my face mask at the same time as not having my translation equipment on. I do apologise.
Russell George: Especially for men, yes. [Laughter.]
