Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 2:34 pm on 22 November 2016.
Thank you for the points made. And, again, I recognise and recall the same conversation about improving the community service in paediatrics, to make sure that children’s care is properly anticipated and managed. It’s much better for the families and much better for the child to make sure that, wherever that care is being undertaken, it’s undertaken in as planned a manner as possible. And that has to be the direction of travel, not just in Pembrokeshire, but right across the country, in other rural settings, but also in urban and Valleys settings as well. It’s actually the right thing to do for the child in that whole context.
I’m happy to go back to the point about recruitment. This is a planned temporary change, in response to a failure to recruit, and there are interviews being stated for early January to try and fill the particular vacancies. And I think you’re right to remind us all that the worst thing for the health board to do is not to act in the face of a staffing shortage. That would mean running short—it would mean running a service where I do not think individual professionals could or should be assured, or even the health board could be assured, that they’re providing a safe and high-quality service that people in Pembrokeshire really do deserve. So, there is a need to act. I’m pleased the health board are acting, both in terms of their options and their choice about what to do with the service now, but also in the longer-term future, both in the community and in the hospital setting as well.