Rhun ap Iorwerth: May I, too, welcome this update from the Cabinet Secretary on this important fund? Just a few questions from me. In terms of reference, in a way, how much do we think the introduction of the 17 new drugs has cost health boards in Wales in real terms? I assume that it’s not all being paid for from that £16 million annually, because the purpose of the fund is to enhance access to these...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: It’s been exciting to see the difference that Vibrant and Viable Places funding has made to the town of Holyhead, where a number of projects have taken place or are in the pipeline. But, of course, the economic problems aren’t limited to those areas that have been identified for investment through this funding to date. So, what assurance can the Minister give that other areas will be able...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: Will you take an intervention?
Rhun ap Iorwerth: Would you agree that the group of eight Conservative Members of Parliament from Wales could also hold Theresa May to ransom over this?
Rhun ap Iorwerth: Formally.
Rhun ap Iorwerth: Will you take an intervention?
Rhun ap Iorwerth: Thank you for taking the intervention. Can you accept that it is vital to focus on what we can do and where we can try to influence? When you say that we are in a huge deficit, we in Wales are not. We have a surplus.
Rhun ap Iorwerth: Thank you very much, Presiding Officer. Many of us have been on a bike today as the Leonard Cheshire Disability charity invited Members to ride an exercise bike as far as we could in 100 seconds. I was pleased to top the table briefly, but that was the advantage of being the first one to take part. The charity was highlighting the importance of exercise for people with disabilities, and today...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: May I welcome this step that’s been taken? The principle is established in terms of this drug. It’s the practicalities that are important to the sufferers of this cancer for which this drug has been designed. So, two simple questions: when, practically speaking, will this drug be available in Wales, and how long will patients have to wait to receive a prescription to access this drug? And...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: It’s perfectly clear to me that the Government is in some difficulty on this issue. I will keep my comments very brief. I did agree with you, when you sat on these benches, when you did mention a lack of ambition among your predecessor Labour Welsh Ministers, but having listened to your responses today, I haven’t heard whether you are still committed to the targets that the First Minister...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: I certainly welcome any signals—and there are positive signals—in terms of an improvement in the number of those choosing to come to work in Wales, and an increase in the number of those choosing to train as GPs, and the financial incentive can play a part in that. But developing expertise and having the support to develop expertise is also something that appeals to junior doctors. And...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: And certainly, I will contact you, as I contacted your predecessor, who also gave me some warm words as you have done. But, unfortunately, it’s clear that there is a problem still facing us. I will move to the challenge of attracting doctors from England. Now, doctors registered in Wales can’t work in Wales until they’ve been registered, as you know, on the Welsh performers list....
Rhun ap Iorwerth: Thank you, Llywydd. There have been a number of cases drawn to my attention of doctors trained in Wales who want to work in Wales, but, because they’ve worked abroad, or have been further trained abroad, they find it very difficult to register to work again in Wales. In one case—and I wrote to your predecessor about this case—she had to return to New Zealand having returned to Wales...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: Will the First Minister make a statement on support for disabled sport in Wales?
Rhun ap Iorwerth: I’ll keep my contribution today short. I just want to state my support, very simply, for this important motion. The aim is very simple too, and it’s also extremely exciting, I think. The aim is to eradicate hepatitis C in Wales in its entirety. Yes, there is a commitment from the World Health Organization to eradicate by 2030, but we, here in Wales, could move according to a tighter...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: Thank you very much to Paul Davies for introducing this Bill. Plaid Cymru has been supportive of demands for legislation to safeguard and protect the rights of autistic people in Wales, as well as their families and carers—legislation that would improve the services accessed by people and would improve diagnosis. There will be a free vote on this. I certainly will be supporting the motion...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: Thank you. This is an issue I raised with the First Minister in a supplementary question yesterday. A number of councils, as you know, have taken the decision to cancel the work-experience placement for year 10 and 12 pupils, including Anglesey. And, again, I declare an interest as the parent of two children—one in year 10 and the other in year 12. Parents and pupils have expressed huge...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: 2. Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on work experience opportunities for pupils? OAQ(5)0131(EDU)[W]
Rhun ap Iorwerth: I certainly welcome the consultation. This is, without doubt, an area of medical advancement that holds a huge amount of potential, as the Cabinet Secretary outlined. Of course, it fits into the agenda of disease prevention and early diagnosis as a means to improving outcomes for patients, plus, of course, saving money for the NHS. There are huge saving that can be made here through careful...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: I was particularly pleased some weeks ago to have a conversation with Laura Burton, a young woman from Anglesey who volunteers her time for Time to Change and is doing excellent work in pressing for improvements in mental health services. I agreed with her that we certainly need to do more to change the attitudes of young people towards mental health, but also that an increase in awareness...
