8. Statement by the Minister for Health and Social Services: Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 12:15 pm on 24 March 2020.

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Photo of Caroline Jones Caroline Jones UKIP 12:15, 24 March 2020

I'd like to thank our wonderful NHS staff and all those concerned who are working around the clock and helping to limit the spread of this dreadful disease. We as individuals must do all that we can, because we all have a part to play in this. Minister, you have the continuing support of myself and my party during this difficult time, and I have just a few questions I'd like to ask.

I have seen reports that locum GPs are turning down shifts due to lack of sickness cover and death-in-service benefits. Around half of locums who responded to a National Association of Sessional GPs survey said that they were making themselves less available during the current pandemic; three quarters of those taking part in the survey are in the at-risk category because they are either over 70 or have had underlying health conditions themselves. Minister, the current pandemic means that locums are more important than ever. Other health problems don't go away because we're dealing with a deadly virus outbreak. What assurances can the Welsh Government give to locum GPs, and in fact all GPs working in Wales, that they will be looked after during this crisis, and will you ensure that locum GPs receive death-in-service benefits and sickness pay?

Minister, over half of the coronavirus cases in Wales have been in the Aneurin Bevan health board. Has Public Health Wales looked at the reasons this health board has significantly higher cases than any other LHB? What extra measures are being provided to the health board and local authorities in the region to cope with a caseload nearly three times higher than the next highest LHB, and 14 times higher than the health board with the largest population, Betsi Cadwaladr?

I was also concerned to receive an e-mail this morning from a public sector prison officer who has allegedly been told that, although he has had a quadruple heart bypass and is diabetic, he is not in the vulnerable category, and that they're also intent on keeping the gymnasium open in the prison. I just wonder if we could give stronger guidelines if necessary to the prison service, and also provide, in any way that we can, through maybe the army, assistance for the sustainability of the prisons.

Minister, thankfully, the vast majority of the over-70s are following Government advice and socially isolating themselves. However, many elderly people are being forced to leave the safety of home to pay bills, as they don't have traditional bank accounts or online banking. As this age group is the most at-risk category, what discussions have you had with colleagues, with the Welsh and UK Governments, about ways to ensure that our most vulnerable constituents can ride out this pandemic in their safety of their homes?

I welcome the actions of Cardiff council to open up free parking to doctors and nurses working at the health board. Minister, is your Government working with other local authorities across Wales to ensure that there is sufficient free parking for NHS staff during the course of this pandemic? Exploitations, again—as Joyce Watson has previously mentioned—of goods: is that a matter for trading standards, Minister? Because exploitation of prices at this time is a remarkably low thing to pull.

Finally, Minister, I have had a number of concerns raised with me about the availability of supplies to the social care sector—concerns not just about PPE, which, hopefully, are being resolved, but also about shortages of other essential items, such as incontinence pads. Minister, what steps are the Welsh Government taking to ensure care homes across Wales receive adequate stocks of essential items?

Minister, I would like to put on record my thanks to your officials who are working around the clock to ensure the smooth running of health and social care. These are trying times for all of us, but I have no doubt that we will make it through and be stronger for it. But now is a time for reflection, to help others in the limited ways that we can. It is not a time for selfishness and greed, but a time to understand the needs of others, and to try, if we can, to make the burden less for those less fortunate than ourselves. Keep safe, everybody. Thank you.