9. How will the First Minister ensure that workers have a strong voice in any discussions relating to public service reorganisation? OAQ52253

The Welsh Government works with devolved public sector employers and trade unions through the workforce partnership council to ensure that strategic workforce issues such as public service changes are discussed. Locally, public sector employers are committed to similar social partnership arrangements. 

I've raised concerns on the privatisation of dialysis services with you previously, and that, of course, includes the possibility of staff moving from the national health service to the private sector to work, something that they have been entirely clear in their opposition to. Now, major questions have been raised by these staff on the process that has been undertaken in the Betsi Cadwaladr health board, to the point that they've written a letter to the board, and I will quote from that letter:

'It's a disgraceful way for a responsible employer to conduct itself in such a process.'

—say the workers.

'The staff feel that, throughout this process, the communication has been poor and not undertaken in a timely manner, effectively preventing union representation and causing serious distress and worry to all staff concerned. The staff therefore request that you investigate and remedy deficiencies in the processes that have been highlighted to you.'

Now, Betsi Cadwaladr, of course, is under your Government's direct control, so will you also undertake to investigate why the staff are so aggrieved at this process, because in your previous answer you talk the talk; shouldn't you now walk the walk?

Well, can I say that no member of staff will be forced to move to the independent sector. It's hugely important to make that point. Secondly, my understanding is that patient representatives, trade unions and human resources representatives have been invited to participate throughout the process of developing renal services in the north of Wales. No decision has been made as to the final service model. However, he has read directly from a letter, and I feel that I need to look at that letter to give the assurance to those people who've written that letter that this matter is being looked at, and I give him that assurance.

And finally, question 10—Julie Morgan.