I thank the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee for their report into community and district nursing services. Community nursing is an essential service that helps keep patients out of hospital and remain in their own homes. As our demography changes, as we all live longer with increasingly complex chronic illness, the services provided by district and community nurses become more essential. 

Over the past two decades, we have lost over 5,000 NHS hospital beds, despite our population increasing by over 200,000. Without district and community nurses, our NHS would be overwhelmed. Despite this, the service continues to be undervalued. Giving evidence to the committee, community nurses described themselves as 'the invisible service', and this is very sad to hear. I therefore welcome the committee's recommendations, which are aimed at improving provision but, more importantly, recognise the absolutely vital role that our district and community nurses play in delivering health and social care in Wales. 

I am pleased that the Welsh Government have accepted nine out of 10 of the recommendations. What I don't understand is the Minister's rationale for rejecting recommendation 4. Extending the nurse staffing levels Act to all settings is the right thing to do. I accept that it won't be easy or doable overnight, but that is not a reason to reject the recommendation out of hand. Welsh Government should accept, at least in principle, that work needs to commence on achieving safe staffing levels now, not at some unspecified future date. 

The Welsh Government have to accept all 10 recommendations and act upon them swiftly if we are to ensure the future of the service. Morale is at an all-time low, yet we, as a nation, are becoming more reliant upon the services provided by our hardworking, dedicated district and community nurses. We have to demonstrate that we value our community nurses; accepting and implementing all 10 of those recommendations would be a good start. Thank you.