Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 2:43 pm on 22 May 2018.
Many of us will have been shocked by the statistics published last week that over 77,000 work days had been lost in the Betsi Cadwaladr health board because of stress and anxiety amongst staff. Now, not only has that cost almost £5.5 million to the board, but it represents an increase of 17 per cent in absences in just six years. This board, as I mentioned earlier, is under the direct management of this Government. I note in the business statement that the Cabinet Secretary will give an update on the situation at the Betsi Cadwaladr health board next week. Can I, therefore, ask you to ensure that there will be a direct response to the situation that I’ve just referred to, because, to me, that is one of the fundamental problems? It reflects the failure of your Government to tackle ensuring that there is sufficient workforce in place and that is having the impact that I’ve just described.