3. Business Statement and Announcement

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 3:11 pm on 12 January 2021.

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Photo of Delyth Jewell Delyth Jewell Plaid Cymru 3:11, 12 January 2021

I'd like a statement, please, from the Government explaining why so many people who are in their 80s and 90s and who are housebound have been invited to appointments for vaccinations in mass vaccination centres, when they were never going to be able to get to those appointments. I've been contacted by numerous constituents, primarily in Caerphilly, but I'd wager that it's probably happening in communities across Wales, whose family members have been sent invitations to appointments that they just can't make. Now, I've raised this with the health board, and I know that other Members have done this too, and I do feel reassured that mobile units will be making house visits to people who are housebound once the work of vaccinating residents of care homes is completed. Now, I understand that they're also considering working with district nurses to do this, but surely, Trefnydd, the Welsh Government should have ensured that no-one was sent those letters for appointments that they wouldn't be able to make. These letters have caused confusion and anxiety for many vulnerable people, and apparently a helpline that's dealing with this isn't always working. So, I'd like a statement, please, reiterating what the national plan is, as well as a timetable for people who are housebound and how you'll be working with health boards to ensure that people who aren't able to leave their houses but are in the priority groups are going to be vaccinated. I would also, finally, Trefnydd, like an explanation about why this wasn't communicated better from the start to avoid unnecessary confusion and distress for people.