2. Business Statement and Announcement

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 2:35 pm on 11 October 2022.

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Photo of Russell George Russell George Conservative 2:35, 11 October 2022

Minister, there's huge concern in mid Wales with the proposals from the Welsh NHS's emergency medical retrieval and transfer service and the Wales Air Ambulance to move the base from Welshpool, which also includes the removal of a road vehicle. The service is greatly valued, it's absolutely necessary, and it's difficult to see how the removal of this service and base will lead to a better outcome for people in mid Wales who need to get to urgent treatment quickly. I questioned the First Minister on this on 20 September in the Chamber, and I asked him if he would ensure that the data the proposals are based on are published. I did so because there's doubt about that data. The First Minister answered, and I quote from the Record of Proceedings:

'I have seen figures that come from the work that has been carried out, but they are not figures that belong to the Welsh Government; they belong to the air ambulance charity itself.'

The charity itself are quite clear the data does not belong to them, but it belongs to the service within the Welsh NHS. I would like to see the full data published, I'd like to see the modelling behind the data published as well, so they can be scrutinised. I wrote to the First Minister last month, and asked him if he would correct the record. I have not yet received a reply. I would be grateful, Minister, if you could facilitate a reply via the First Minister.

Can I also call for an urgent statement from the Welsh Government outlining the Welsh Government's involvement in the proposals? It is, of course, the Welsh Government that are responsible for health services and provision. We need to ensure we have the very best emergency provision. I don't believe that the removal of the base in Welshpool, and indeed Caernarfon, is going to lead to a better outcome for the people of Wales in terms of getting to urgent treatment as quickly as possible.