Part of 2. 2. Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Well-being and Sport – in the Senedd at 2:30 pm on 9 November 2016.
Well, there’s an interesting conflation of two separate issues there. In terms of the paediatric service, we know that, in other parts of the UK, the paediatric service is provided by nurses, leading the paediatric service. In fact, the 2015 royal college review indicated that it may be more sensible to move to a nurse-led service around Withybush in any event. That review also told us very clearly that it would not be sensible to try and reinstate a 24-hour paediatric ambulatory care service.
There is a challenge in making sure all these different services match up with each other. A practical thing like moving where the paediatric unit is, so it’s nearer the emergency unit, it’s part of what has already been done. But I do reiterate that the advice that we have had about the model of care being provided in west Wales is one that has serious weight to it, of genuine expertise, where people are responsible for managing, leading and delivering these services around the country, and we’ll continue to be guided by the evidence and advice.