Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 3:26 pm on 3 March 2020.
Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer, and may I also thank you for the statement and thank you for the briefing sessions that have been provided for us as opposition parties, both on Sunday and earlier today? I look forward to seeing that kind of dialogue continuing, because I do think that it's important that the public has confidence that the steps that the Government is taking are responsible steps to take, and how that's communicated to us and to the public more broadly is very important, of course. I could ask hundreds of questions. I won't do so. I know that we'll have plenty of opportunities to ask those questions. But, there are a few things that do strike me, and I will take this opportunity to ask questions on those.
First of all, a question that was asked earlier by Adam Price, and you've touched upon it again—namely, the information shared by Public Health Wales and how often that information is disseminated. Now, the First Minister suggested, at least, that data is shared on a daily basis. You have also suggested that information is shared at 3 p.m. every afternoon. According to my understanding, and according to Public Health Wales's website, although information is shared on a daily basis, the data on the number of tests carried out, be they positive or negative, aren't shared, but are shared only on a weekly basis. Perhaps you could confirm what the situation is and ask whether Public Health Wales will ensure that those data, as well as the daily narrative, are shared on a daily basis rather than on a weekly basis.
Now, in terms of 111, I'm also very pleased that that is now a number that can be reached wherever people are in Wales. Can you give us some idea of the additional resources that have been put in place in order to enable that to happen? As a slightly peripheral question, is this the start of the provision of 111 in all parts of Wales—something that I do hope would happen? On budget day, I would appreciate just a few broader comments on the additional resources that you have secured, or that you are seeking to secure, from the finance Minister in order to ensure that we are in the best possible position as a nation to respond to COVID-19.
May I also ask: there are initial plans being drawn up, as I understand it, to perhaps open the door to doctors who may have left the profession or who have retired to return, should there be pressures on the NHS workforce. So, what advice is available to those health workers who are already in this difficult situation in carrying out this additional work in supporting the public within the health service? So, what advice is available to them as to how they can register before the details are fully in place, so that we can strengthen the health workforce, should that be required?
Just a few points on an issue of principle. You quite rightly condemn the prejudice and the racist comments that have been made in relation to the spread of this particular virus. So, could I ask you to make a broader comment on the need to treat people who are in self-isolation with dignity and respect? Because it's very important that people should know what level of treatment they should expect from the state, from society, where they, of course, feel very vulnerable, having been placed in self-isolation.
It has become apparent too that Mako Vunipola is now not going to be available to play in the six nations match between Wales and England this weekend because he has self-isolated. First of all, what kind of discussions are taking place with organisations such as the Welsh Rugby Union, and football clubs and so on, around major events such as this that bring people together? But, more importantly, what does the fact that Mako Vunipola has placed himself in self-isolation, given that he isn't showing any symptoms of the virus, but has been in a situation where there may be a risk—I understand that he flew via Hong Kong—what does that tell us about the need for people to be aware of the possibility that they could have been infected and to take sensible precautions to safeguard themselves, and others around them, while balancing that, of course, with the need, as you say, for people not to be overly anxious in more general terms?
Finally, again with reference to comments made by Adam Price earlier today in terms of the responsibility on employers. I have raised this with you in the past, as a Government, asking you to give clear direction of your expectations of responsible employers here in Wales. Employment law is not devolved, but I do think that there is an expectation that could be put in place by the Welsh Government in terms of the conduct of employers. Irresponsible employers in workplaces where people are expected to turn up to work whatever the state of their health could be putting the health of others at risk. So, will you be making a statement, either now or over the next few days or weeks, on your expectations on the need for employers, like everyone else within society, to take those sensible steps that are required in order to ensure that public safety is secured?