Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 6:21 pm on 11 January 2023.
We heard from Mabon, wanting to be a critical friend here, because this is something that we do love, so we want to be supportive in how we can ensure that this is available to all four parts of Wales, and especially mid and north Wales as well. Again, he talked about those personal stories, and the story of Mr Wilkes and Nia and the success from the tragedy of Mr Wilkes, the success of getting a depot in north Wales, a base in north Wales for the Wales air ambulance, and the importance around that, and, again, stressing that this isn't just an ambulance picking up a patient, taking it to a location. This is, in essence, a hospital with rotor blades, taking first-class medical expertise to an incident, which is why this is so very important. He stressed then, again, the weather conditions in Wales and how the rapid response vehicles are so very important.
Gareth Davies spoke about the disparity in healthcare provision in north and south Wales and stressed, then, regarding the tourism and outdoor pursuits, the pressures that that can put on health services and why this air ambulance is so important in north Wales in accessing that. We know full well from Gareth, who's a big advocate for the tourism industry in north Wales, the activities that are available there and why that air ambulance is so important. He stressed again the 20,000 people who have signed the petition and been in the banner campaign. Our thanks go to them for their advocacy of the Wales air ambulance, what they've done in raising the visualisation of why this is so important, this campaign around protecting it and ensuring it exists in north Wales and mid Wales continuously.
Cefin, moving on, thanked the staff on board, not only the medical staff, but also the pilots and the skills of the pilots, which Janet mentioned as well, in being able to land in so many different positions. I think that's fantastic. Again, Cefin stressed the local ownership that we feel in terms of fundraising. This is something that I think is really important. There are very few charities in Wales that touch so many lives across all parts of our country, and I think that's why this petition has had so many signatures and why this debate is so important this afternoon.
Jane we heard from in terms of your support for our joint motion with Plaid Cymru this afternoon, and we thank you for that, and, again, the disparity of healthcare provision in mid Wales and how this is a necessity in that sense. Janet Finch-Saunders, as I mentioned, was talking about the skilled nature of those on board, and I think that Janet is a fabulous advocate for those in north Wales who provide the excellent facilities that are available to her up there.
Siân Gwenllian was quite candid in calling for the Welsh Government to prove that changes don't endanger patients, and I think that is something that is absolutely important. Any changes such as this should always take into consideration the patient first and foremost and their safety.
Minister, given the cross-party support today, I think it would be very interesting if you'd be willing to meet cross party to discuss this and the provision of the Wales air ambulance in Wales, especially north and mid Wales, and see if there is a way forward for all these bases to continue. I think that would be really excellent if that could be agreed upon. And something that I just want to stress as well is, in answering questions previously on health provision in north Wales, you've said now is not the time for reorganisation, so shouldn't that be true still for the Wales air ambulance, given the pressures the NHS is under? Should now not be the time for considering any reorganisation?
I want to close—Llywydd, you've been very kind with my time—in terms of speaking about 'our vision', as the Wales air ambulance write on their website:
'To improve the lives of patients and their families by being a world leader in advanced, time-critical care.'
The time is now for the Welsh Government to listen to the people of north and mid Wales. Diolch.