Financial Support for Children with Severe Health Needs

Part of 1. Questions to the First Minister – in the Senedd at 2:15 pm on 14 February 2023.

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Photo of Rhun ap Iorwerth Rhun ap Iorwerth Plaid Cymru 2:15, 14 February 2023

Diolch yn fawr iawn. I was discussing during a recent visit to Tŷ Gobaith the pressures on families who have very poorly children, or children with very significant needs. They face challenges that most of us don't have to face all of the time, but of course the cost-of-living crisis has added hugely to the pressures on them. I'm thinking of the Gleave family near Amlwch, three children—Katie, Kelly and Mason. Obviously, the public purse pays for full-time staff to look after them, but the cost of heating for them, the cost of keeping the banks of machines that keep them on life support, is significant. I'm thinking of Pam and Mark and the challenges they face from day to day, just looking after the children. Now, there are families in the same situation in all parts of Wales. I plead on Welsh Government to look at what more can be done to give them the assistance to support their children properly—and if they weren't able to support them at home they would be in hospital, with the huge costs that that would entail for the public purse. So, it's an appeal for Government to look again at what it might be able to do to help them.