7. Statement by the Minister for Health and Social Services: Update on the decarbonisation programme for health and social care

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 6:04 pm on 2 November 2021.

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Photo of Rhun ap Iorwerth Rhun ap Iorwerth Plaid Cymru 6:04, 2 November 2021

(Translated)

Well, what we have there is an example of ignoring entirely the environmental problem in failing to think environmentally in planning services. Yes, patients who are very ill will be taken to the hospital in an ambulance, but what about the staff? What about visitors? What about suppliers and all the out-patients who need to be encouraged to leave the car at home and not see barriers put in their place because of a lack of planning? I hope that that doesn't happen with future developments.

There are so many questions that I could pursue, but I'll raise just three or four at this point. What's the Minister going to do to build capacity to generate momentum for green initiatives? We heard specific mention of Ysbyty Gwynedd and the good work done there. Indeed, there is very good work happening on green plans there. But, staff very often have had to work on those on a voluntary basis at the end of their shifts during the pandemic. So, are there plans afoot to create that capacity, to create specialist positions to promote sustainability within health boards and so on? And what discussions have taken place with the finance Minister to help health and care services to try and go even further than is outlined in the strategic delivery plan?

And finally, we don't have to act alone here. It's not Wales operating in a vacuum; we are part of an international effort to seek to address the problem of inappropriate environmental habits, shall we say, and the need to change ways of working within health services. I've been looking today at the Race to Zero programme of the United Nations, and particularly into the 'Health Care Without Harm' heading. There are health boards and health institutions across the globe there who are committed to supporting that particular programme. In a way, you are supporting the principle underpinning Race to Zero, so can I ask whether the Welsh Government will ensure that the Welsh NHS and our care services are also added to that list of organisations who want to be a central part of the race to net zero?