Part of 2. 1. Questions to the First Minister – in the Senedd at 1:44 pm on 4 October 2016.
We want to protect the world-class vascular service for the whole of Betsi Cadwaladr. We’ll consider all the representations that are made, and the health board will consider it next. I have to say, she makes the point about urban solutions in rural areas, and, I’m sorry, but that’s sometimes used as ‘a slightly worse service for rural areas than in urban areas’, and I disagree. I think people living in rural areas should have access to the best services that are available. I remember this argument about colorectal surgery in Bronglais. I remember it—that it was going to leave, that colorectal cancer surgery would leave Bronglais, and, as a result, things would be far worse. They weren’t. They were far better. Survival rates improved dramatically, even though people had to travel to Cardiff, that much is true. So, the board will have to consider these issues very carefully. I understand the point she’s making, and her colleague has made exactly the same points as, of course, as the Member for Arfon, I would expect her to do. The board must consider the points that are being made, and Ministers will consider any representations, but we wouldn’t get away from the fact that there needs to be a specialist centre. The question then is where it should be placed.