Part of 1. Questions to the First Minister – in the Senedd at 2:14 pm on 4 October 2022.
Thank you, First Minister. Unlike many other professions, those who work within the health service and have direct patient contact have to be mindful of the impact that their annual leave has on those whom they care for, often having to plan and arrange annual leave months or even years in advance. Indeed, needing to take sick leave or annual leave at short notice very often translates to patient appointments being cancelled. This is not only frustrating for patients who may themselves have taken annual leave to attend their appointment and will now go back on to a waiting list, but it also means that healthcare professionals lack any flexibility and have to make difficult family decisions—having to miss school plays or sports days, for example. This manifests itself either in poorer working environments when compared to other professions or in healthcare professionals choosing locum positions that have the required flexibility, instead of salaried NHS positions. This is, ultimately, more costly for the NHS. Whilst there may be departments that have good rota systems, I know of many that do not, and this is an issue that has been raised continually with me by healthcare professionals, who struggle to get enough flexibility in work to meet life's demands. Will you agree with me, First Minister, that this shows how the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 is not being effectively applied and that more needs to be done to help provide better working conditions for our healthcare professionals? Thank you.