Questions to the Minister for Health and Social Services

QNR – in the Senedd on 6 February 2019.

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Photo of Michelle Brown Michelle Brown UKIP

(Translated) Will the Minister make a statement regarding recruitment into the NHS in Wales?

Photo of Vaughan Gething Vaughan Gething Labour

Recruitment and retention remains a priority for the Welsh Government and for health boards and trusts. On a national level, recruitment continues to be supported by our successful ‘Train. Work. Live.’ campaign, alongside record levels of investment to support healthcare education and training, including additional medical school places.  

Photo of Paul Davies Paul Davies Conservative

(Translated) What is the Welsh Government doing to improve health services in Pembrokeshire over the next 12 months?

Photo of Vaughan Gething Vaughan Gething Labour

We have a wide range of improvement activity that we expect the people of Pembrokeshire to benefit from. In addition to service specific improvements, the population will continue to benefit from investment in primary care facilities, the transformation fund and the integrated care fund in 2019/20. 

Photo of Nick Ramsay Nick Ramsay Conservative

(Translated) Will the Minister provide an update on the construction of new hospitals in south-east Wales?

Photo of Vaughan Gething Vaughan Gething Labour

The Grange hospital is the one new hospital currently under construction in south-east Wales. It is on schedule to open in the spring of 2021. The business case for the construction of a new cancer centre to replace Velindre hospital is currently being prepared.

Photo of Nick Ramsay Nick Ramsay Conservative

(Translated) Will the Minister make a statement on winter pressures in the NHS in south-east Wales?

Photo of Vaughan Gething Vaughan Gething Labour

I will make a statement on delivery over winter next week. We have been open about pressures experienced by health and social care services over recent weeks, but it is testament to the commitment of front-line staff that the vast majority of patients are still receiving high-quality and timely care.

Photo of Mark Reckless Mark Reckless Conservative

(Translated) Will the Minister make a statement on the future of obstetric and inpatient paediatric services in the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board?

Photo of Vaughan Gething Vaughan Gething Labour

Clinicians from the health board have been working with the Faculty of Medical Management and Leadership to review the current arrangements for obstetric, neonatal and paediatric services in the region. If any changes are proposed to the current service, then there would be engagement with stakeholders and the public.

Photo of Lynne Neagle Lynne Neagle Labour

(Translated) Will the Minister make a statement on the use of high dose-rate brachytherapy treatment for prostate cancer?

Photo of Vaughan Gething Vaughan Gething Labour

The Welsh Health Specialised Services Committee commissions low dose rate brachytherapy for prostate cancer for the population of Wales. High dose rate brachytherapy for the treatment of prostate cancer is not currently commissioned in Wales but may be accessed through an individual patient funding request.

Photo of Russell George Russell George Conservative

(Translated) What is the Welsh Government doing to improve chronic pain services for patients in mid-Wales?

Photo of Vaughan Gething Vaughan Gething Labour

We continue to work with health boards and partners to improve services relating to chronic or persistent pain. We are working with Powys Teaching Local Health Board to ensure that any patients affected by the decision to close the pain service at Oswestry are minimised.

Photo of John Griffiths John Griffiths Labour

(Translated) What further action will the Welsh Government take to prevent ill-health?

Photo of Vaughan Gething Vaughan Gething Labour

Improving health for everyone is a central ambition of 'Prosperity for All' and 'A Healthier Wales'. Welsh Government, in partnership with Public Health Wales, health boards and local authorities, is working to deliver our priorities to improve population health. Central to this is support for targeted interventions to encourage healthy lifestyles.