Questions Without Notice from the Party Leaders

Part of 1. Questions to the First Minister – in the Senedd at 1:49 pm on 5 March 2019.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of Paul Davies Paul Davies Conservative 1:49, 5 March 2019

Well, I would ask the Minister to check the record and check last month's debate because, unfortunately, the health Minister did dismiss calls to address this particular issue. Let me remind you as well, Minister, that previous figures have shown that half of people referred for substance misuse rehabilitation in Wales are treated in England, and at Brynawel clients wait months for a space due to high demand, often at a time when their lives are in danger and they've turned to crime as a way to gather money or even to seek shelter in prison. Not for the first time on the topic of healthcare here in Wales, we are hearing that there is a postcode lottery across the country for people in need. Healthcare Inspectorate Wales reported last year that access to services across Wales is inconsistent and limited in rural areas; people found it difficult to get the treatment they needed because of long waiting times and a lack of capacity in services. And yet hundreds—hundreds—of people die every year from substance and alcohol misuse here in Wales. Minister, what is the Government doing to stop this postcode lottery and to stop people in need being put at risk of being forgotten, just because of where they live?