8. Will the First Minister make a statement on the procurement of health services in North Wales? OAQ52117

All procurement by any health board should be undertaken in accordance with its standing financial instructions, the principles of financial management set out in 'Managing Welsh Public Money', and with the specialist advice and support of NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership procurement services to assure compliance and value for money.

In response to questions from Plaid Cymru on proposals to privatise dialysis services in north Wales, you said, on 30 January, that you were entirely opposed to privatisation:

'We are completely against privatisation'.

Those were your words. We now hear that Betsi Cadwaladr is proceeding with plans to privatise those dialysis services across north Wales. The staff tell me that they don't want to transfer from the NHS into the private sector, and they also tell me that they don't feel that there has been sufficient consultation with them. There certainly hasn't been consultation with patients or the public more generally. And I have a letter from the health board confirming that they have your Government's support for this proposal. A Labour Government allowing public services to transfer from the NHS into the private sector—it's something that you are very critical of when the Conservatives do it in England.

So, when you told us on 30 January that you were entirely opposed to privatisation, did that suggest that you didn't know what was happening within the health service in north Wales, or, indeed, were you trying to mislead us?

No, not at all, and I would like to see the letter that the Member alludes to, to see exactly the content of that letter. So, I will wait, therefore, to see what will happen on that.

This is a process that Betsi Cadwaladr trust has begun, and it will be complete by July. What they are trying to do is ensure that the best possible service is available for their patients, and they are duty-bound to ensure that that happens.

Thank you, First Minister.