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

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 3:10 pm on 29 April 2020.

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Photo of Rhun ap Iorwerth Rhun ap Iorwerth Plaid Cymru 3:10, 29 April 2020

I'll start with two brief questions on ventilation and oxygen. The Minister has confirmed that, of the 461 invasive ventilators that were due to come to Wales under UK arrangements, 46 have been delivered. On 9 April, I raised a concern with the Minister and the First Minister—brought to my attention by doctors, I should say—that ventilators earmarked for Wales had gone to field hospitals in England. Now, I was told that that's just not true. I know now we're being told now that we don't need those ventilators, but can the Minister tell us where all those Wales-destined ventilators went? Secondly, I first wrote to the Minister on 28 March advocating earlier intervention with oxygen for COVID-19 patients, rather than pursuing the protocols that are still in place, which are basically asking people to wait until they're very ill before presenting themselves, and for many it's already too late then, and international evidence is pretty strong now on the lifesaving benefits of early intervention. Can the Minister seek an urgent review of how many patients who've sadly lost their lives so far in Wales were offered early intervention, so that we can try to learn from that and help future patients?