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

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 3:49 pm on 29 April 2020.

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Photo of Vaughan Gething Vaughan Gething Labour 3:49, 29 April 2020

On the point about non-COVID-19 deaths rising, we need to understand what exactly that is, whether there is an issue in COVID-19 not being recorded—because, actually, the death certificate review is the most accurate review—whether there's a time lag and whether those figures are provided by the Office for National Statistics. It's also the point that I've made both in my statement and previously that some people are refusing to go to a hospital when they have urgent care needs, and I'm really concerned about avoidable harm and avoidable mortality. And rather than jumping to one conclusion, I want to understand what that full picture is.

And on the point you raise about the use of resources, I think it's important to quote people in context and fully so you don't give a misleading misrepresentation of what's actually been said. I've been really clear about the evidence and advice that we currently have, about whether having a general testing programme in care homes for people who aren't symptomatic is the right thing to do. I've also indicated that if the advice changes, then we could or should shift our position, based on the evidence and advice on the best way to use our resources. I think it's unfortunate to use such emotive language and the social media post that has been made, with yourself and your name on it, which contains a direct misrepresentation of what I said, is a work of fiction, and, if someone's going to be ashamed, I think you should look at what's being said in your name because it is simply is not true.