3. Statement by the Minister for Health and Social Services: NHS Winter Pressures

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 3:40 pm on 10 January 2023.

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Photo of Mabon ap Gwynfor Mabon ap Gwynfor Plaid Cymru 3:40, 10 January 2023

(Translated)

I want to make two points and ask two questions, if possible. The Minister said earlier that Wales has more GPs than England. But, I'm concerned that this shows a lack of understanding of the situation that we're facing. The population density of England is far greater than Wales's is. It's far easier to access a doctor when you have 1,000 people per square mile than in south Meirionnydd, for example, when you only have 20 people per square mile and it's harder to access those services. So, that's the first point that I want to raise, and I want to ask whether you accept that there is a need for more investment in health services in our rural areas so that people can access those services they need.

I also note that you've said several times so far that flu and COVID are present in our hospitals. But, as Rhun said earlier, if the hospital bed occupancy rate goes above 82 per cent then these hospital-acquired infections, such as flu, such as COVID, are going to spread. But, occupancy in our hospitals is now over 100 per cent; of course those infections are going to be spread. Of course people are going to suffer, and that's because you haven't invested in the nurses and you've cut the number of beds. It appears that lessons aren't being learnt. One clear way of learning these lessons is by holding an official inquiry into COVID in Wales so that we can know the way forward and how not to make those mistakes in future. Will you now accept that there is an undeniable need for an inquiry of this kind in Wales?