6. Statement by the Minister for Health and Social Services: Update on COVID-19

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 5:13 pm on 12 October 2021.

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Photo of Baroness Mair Eluned Morgan Baroness Mair Eluned Morgan Labour 5:13, 12 October 2021

You heard the First Minister this morning talking about the fact that, actually, we need to wean ourselves off this assumption that you will always see a GP. There are people who are as good, as qualified, who can support us with our health needs who are alternatives to GPs, and we need to understand that.  

You mentioned very briefly ambulance services. It's impossible for me to go through all of the points that you made, but you're aware that we have a whole programme of work that we're undertaking in relation to ambulance, trying to improve the situation with ambulances. We've spent an additional £25 million in terms of recurrent funding, huge numbers of ambulance workers have been recruited, there's been the creation of urgent primary care centres—so, lots of things are ongoing to try and take the pressure off our ambulance services. 

Turning to the UK report, yes, you're absolutely right, it's a report that looks at the situation in the UK, but isn't it interesting that you come straight in here and try and throw the problems here at us in Wales? The fact is that they outline a situation like the fact that they should have taken a more cautious approach. Well, I think most people in Wales would understand that we have taken a more cautious approach than they have in the UK. The other thing, of course, is that we do have discussions in our Cabinet that I think are robust but are respectful, and we don't have groupthink. Part of the issue in the UK has been that there has been such an emphasis and such a focus on trying to keep the economy going that sometimes they've lost sight of the importance of public health. Getting that balance right, I think, has been something that we have tried to get right within the situation in Wales.

The other thing that they mention in this report is the fact that, actually, everything is too centralised. You've only got to look at the test, trace and protect system; the ridiculous amounts of money that they spent on that system in England, on private companies that have been completely ineffective when you compare them to us working in partnership with local government to drive a system that has been massively effective. I think it's very important that people understand that, actually, we are not in the same situation, as Wales. And you will be aware, also, that the First Minister has asked Michael Gove, in a letter, to set out, 'These are the things that we would like to see you address if there is going to be a public inquiry for the UK—we want these things to be set out.' Now, we're still waiting for an answer to that letter. I think it's absolutely clear that if there is a respect for looking at the kind of detail that the Welsh public will want to see, and we will want to see, then I think we will be able to go with the UK. If that doesn't happen, then of course we don't want to be a footnote in the UK public inquiry. I think that's enough on that one. Thank you.