2. What assessment has the Minister made of supply chain issues affecting Roche Pharmaceuticals, and its implications on testing capacity in the Welsh NHS? TQ492

Thank you for the question. Public Health Wales have confirmed that this issue does not affect their capacity for COVID-19 antigen tests, as Roche swabs are not used, nor will it affect other Public Health Wales tests. In relation to wider health-board-delivered testing services, I have asked my officials to urgently review and report back to me.

Thank you, Minister, for that response, and I welcome the assurance that, obviously, COVID testing is unaffected by this news today. But importantly, obviously, this warehouse supplies other testing products to the NHS across the whole of the United Kingdom, in the field of cancer, cardiology, thyroid testing, and also electrolyte testing—in fact, it's a market leader in electrolytes. Other parts of the NHS in the UK have issued restrictions on blood testing—just for essential services only. Can you give an assurance today, or certainly in the short term, that there will be no disruption to blood testing in particular in the NHS in Wales, and if you can't give that assurance today, can you make sure that you make it available to Members as quickly as possible after you've had that information back?

I discussed this very point with my officials this afternoon, Llywydd, and that's why I'm seeking urgent reassurance from our officials. In terms of the tests that Public Health Wales carry out, including, for example, sexual health testing and cell pathology, they're the things that I'm most concerned about. We do have some stock that is left within Public Health Wales and other health boards, but I want assurance on how that affects each health board. I'm happy to issue an update to Members in the form of a written statement once I have that assurance. Roche themselves have said that they think the supply issues will take two weeks to resolve. Obviously, we want to see that happen sooner rather than later. But as I said, I'll issue a written statement to update Members and the public on the actual position here in Wales.

Having lost Roche testing capacity early on in the pandemic, I'm pleased to hear that you're not expecting an impact on COVID testing in Wales. Now, can I just ask one question? Simply, what assurances have you had that if Roche's problems hit other services across the UK, including Wales, Wales won't be cut first or hit disproportionately?

There's no suggestion of that at present. But as I said, that's why I'm seeking the assurance, not just from my officials, but from health boards directly, about the position they find themselves in with this unexpected supply chain interruption. And that's what I will cover in the written statement. Obviously, it would not be acceptable if Wales were hit disproportionately, or in a different way, and other parts of the UK were preferred; I expect every part of the UK to be treated in a manner that is generally fair. But it is good news that, because of the way we deliver our testing service here in Wales, the COVID testing will not be affected by this issue.

I thank the Minister.