Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 3:40 pm on 8 October 2019.
Well, I completely reject the accusation made by David Melding. He's regularly urbane and reasonable as opposed to the rather temperature-raising approach he's taken today. I have intervened in the health board. I have set in train a proper process of independent scrutiny and oversight for that improvement, and I will continue to be honest with people about the level of improvement made and the actions still required. If you look at what the panel themselves say about the progress made, they themselves are honest about the areas where progress has been made and is embedded and the areas where progress has been made but it is not yet at the point when they are prepared to sign off to say that that is progress that has been embedded. They're also clear about the work that is ongoing every day to provide assurance about the safety of the service. I'm not going to give a free pass to anyone in the health service to sit back and allow things to wash over them; I've taken action, I've been clear about what that is and I will continue to report back honestly and openly about the progress made to date. And if any further support is required, that is the point about having an independent panel to make clear what is required, as well as the interaction of my officials, and I will continue to act to safeguard the service.