6. Welsh Conservatives Debate: Ambulance response times

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:21 pm on 22 September 2021.

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Photo of Janet Finch-Saunders Janet Finch-Saunders Conservative 4:21, 22 September 2021

Thank you, Laura Anne Jones, for making those very valid points.

Lack of bed capacity, staff shortages and an increase in the number of patients turning to the ambulance service due to trouble accessing a face-to-face appointment with a GP are all contributing to this issue. Welsh Labour's guidance for GP surgeries to continue using online or telephone services is placing further pressure on our emergency services, as is the current advice in my constituency on people presenting with mental health concerns told to go straight to A&E, instead of there being local access to such much-needed specialised support. So, Minister, what conversations have you had with the GP sector to ensure that the number of telephone, video and face-to-face appointments is being monitored so that the trend is moving in the right direction?

Finally, we as Welsh Conservatives welcome the ambulance service's asking the army for assistance. It is a sign that circumstances have moved well beyond normal levels of difficulty, and I hope that this will be the start of getting the help required by these essential front-line teams. Wales needs action on these points now, so that our ambulance services can be empowered to work, their reputation restored and those patients most in need get the care and treatment they so deserve. Diolch.