Part of 1. Questions to the First Minister – in the Senedd at 1:57 pm on 3 March 2020.
First Minister, with the threat of confirmed cases in Wales thought to rise over time, it is essential that the Welsh NHS is as fully staffed as possible to treat anyone who has symptoms of the virus. Sadly, we already know that the NHS is facing significant recruitment challenges, so can you tell us what immediate steps the Welsh Government is taking to address any recruitment matters within the Welsh NHS as a matter of urgency? Could you also tell us whether the Welsh Government is looking at the emergency registration of health professionals who have retired as a way of increasing the number of people who can help treat those affected by the coronavirus, and, if so, what safeguards the Welsh Government is putting in place for those retired doctors, given that they will also be vulnerable to the virus, given their age, and whether the Welsh Government is considering the introduction of emergency indemnity coverage, generally, for healthcare workers to provide care or diagnostic services?