Part of 4. Questions to the Minister for Health and Social Services – in the Senedd at 2:07 pm on 8 July 2020.
Minister, NHS staff can only engage in much-needed catch-up work if they are able to work over the summer, and support bubbles will only be of help to those NHS staff who have family members. Now, there was a very welcome announcement of extra funding for summer childcare earlier in the week, but no guidance has been issued to local authorities on providing childcare for NHS and social care key workers. I'm delighted to say that Torfaen council will be providing childcare for NHS and social care staff, but I've heard of one local authority that is thinking of charging £20 a day to key workers, which is a real kick in the teeth to NHS staff who have sacrificed so much in this pandemic. Will you discuss this with the Deputy Minister as a matter of urgency, and issue clear guidance to local authorities on what your expectation is of them over the summer, so that NHS staff can get back to doing that vital catch-up work that we know is desperately needed? Diolch.