Part of 2. Questions to the Minister for Health and Social Services – in the Senedd at 3:09 pm on 15 June 2022.
Thank you very much for that supplementary, Gareth. Can I take this opportunity to place on record my appreciation of the work that is done by Men's Sheds throughout Wales? I think they play a really important role in supporting mental health and tackling loneliness, and I'm glad that we've been able to support them through Welsh Government funding in the past.
In relation to the issue that you've raised about the Men's Shed in Denbigh, I was very concerned to hear about that situation. I've been in touch with the health board and have been advised that, following a health and safety walk around, risks were noted and felt to be of such a nature that a temporary suspension of this service was required. The decision to temporarily curtail access to the site was made in relation to the four-day bank holiday. A more detailed health and safety report is being provided, and a fire safety report for the site is expected. This will be developed to agree a joint mitigation plan on 24 June to ensure that the service can be reinstated without delay. It is recognised, though, that any further delay in reopening access to this site might have a negative impact for those citizens who rely on the Men's Shed service, and I'm assured that the health board will ensure any risks remaining are either addressed or support any alternative options for delivering this service while risks on the Trefeirian site are resolved, if the concerns can be mitigated. So, I hope that that gives you the assurance that this is being followed up and that the health board are seeking to resolve it urgently.