7. 7. Plaid Cymru Debate: A Medical School in Bangor

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 5:18 pm on 17 May 2017.

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Photo of Vaughan Gething Vaughan Gething Labour 5:18, 17 May 2017

I don’t think there was much to agree upon in terms of Michelle Brown’s contribution, but we’re really serious about protecting and standing up for the national health service—it’s not about electoral calculus, it’s about our commitment and our values, not just in creating the service, but in sustaining it for the future. And I recognise the challenges that Lee Waters outlined again—as the local Member, he’s absolutely right to highlight concerns within his community, and I do understand the point that is made about how change of any kind is discussed with the public, rather than simply being presented to the public about what must now happen. That is a good point that is well made, and I understand you’ll be taking direct representations to the health board in the coming days.

But here in this Government, we are committed to delivering an NHS workforce that continues to provide high-quality care, and on the medical front, it continues to grow in the face of continuing austerity from the UK Government. There are a number of challenges that we honestly and freely acknowledge, but they are challenges that we are confronting head on, and I look forward to reporting on more success that this Government will achieve with our partners in the national health service and beyond.