Part of 5. Topical Questions – in the Senedd at 4:42 pm on 20 October 2021.
Diolch yn fawr, Alun. I think you're absolutely right. I think that the approach of a kind of regional approach to medicine is something that we need to take very seriously. I think that people are prepared to travel to specialist centres, where they know that they're going to get expert support and expert advice, and that means that people do need to understand that that may not mean a very local hospital and that sometimes, they're going to have to travel a little bit to get that specialist support that they may be looking for.
But certainly, in terms of the practical response, we will expect Aneurin Bevan to step up here to respond to those people who, you set out very clearly there, have really stepped up during the pandemic, who have worked their socks off during this time and who, frankly, are exhausted, particularly when the staffing levels are not where they should be. And that's why I am particularly pleased to see that Aneurin Bevan has already given outline approval to address the issues of staffing at a cost of £1.5 million additional funding for that. So, that is money that they already have in their budget. It's about how they're going to spend it and I'm really pleased that they are genuine, I think, in their response to this report. But, as I say, we in the Welsh Government will be keeping our eye on this because I must say that it was very sobering reading from the Royal College of Physicians and certainly, we will be keeping an eye on it, partly because we simply have got to stand by those people who have given their all during this pandemic.