Part of 2. 2. Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Well-being and Sport – in the Senedd at 3:00 pm on 13 July 2016.
Cabinet Secretary, as you’ll be aware, the Hywel Dda health board is engaged with clinicians and patient groups to look at developing an enhanced patient pathway for paediatric services in Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire by the end of the year. On a recent visit to Withybush and Glangwili, I was made aware of the reliance on doctors from outside the UK to ensure that we can fulfil the rotas in paediatrics in particular. I’m sure you’ll agree with me that it doesn’t help to attract doctors when it’s suggested that that care that is provided is unsafe. Since the Brexit vote, Hywel Dda health board has written to non-UK medical staff in the light of an increase in race hate incidents across the UK. I’ve helped to launch a campaign to encourage patients to go that extra mile to thank those doctors who’ve come to help us in Wales to provide that service. Will you join with me in extending that welcome and ensuring that NHS services will not be adversely affected by the EU vote and that those doctors who are here to help us will indeed be made to feel welcome?