Questions Without Notice from Party Spokespeople

Part of 1. Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Services – in the Senedd at 1:38 pm on 14 March 2018.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of Vaughan Gething Vaughan Gething Labour 1:38, 14 March 2018

Yes. And, again, I welcome the recognition that you start off with about our national health service staff and other emergency service workers, local government workers, the third sector, and citizen volunteers, who made sure that the work continued. The range of stories of people who helped health service workers get in to do their job is really uplifting. 

On your specific point, I'm happy to give the reassurance sought. At the time, I indicated that this is not what I would expect should happen. Every health board came out robustly and indicated that they have systems in place both to make sure that accommodation is provided for free for staff who come in in these circumstances, above and beyond what would normally be expected, and that any staff who had made their own arrangements, either because arrangements weren't available, or, indeed, if a mistake had been made, should be able to have those costs refunded by the health board. And, again, I've also had a conversation with the Royal College of Nursing about the matter, and if they reveal any additional issues that I'm not aware of, then I will happily look at them and see them addressed.