2. Business Statement and Announcement

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 2:26 pm on 21 March 2023.

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Photo of Darren Millar Darren Millar Conservative 2:26, 21 March 2023

Minister, can I call for two statements from the Government, please, this week? The first is on standards of stroke care in Wales. The Stroke Association recently circulated information that showed that the latest sentinel stroke national audit programme identified that stroke services in Wales have been deteriorating, and in fact, in north Wales were worse than in any other part of the country. Most or many of the hospitals in the region were graded as 'E', which, unfortunately, is the worst grade in terms of their performance. Most patients were not being admitted to stroke units, most patients don't have access to speech and language therapy, and we've got the worst access to physiotherapy as well. Now, given, obviously, the failings elsewhere in the health service in north Wales at the moment, quite rightly and understandably, people are concerned and want to know how this situation will be improved. 

The second statement that I'm requesting is an update on road safety projects in Wales, please, from the Deputy Minister for Climate Change. Obviously, we know that the roads review report recommended the axing or postponing of a number of road safety projects, including two on the A494 trunk road in rural Denbighshire in my own constituency. These are essential projects that need to proceed. They're not going to damage the climate, but they will save people's lives. The Maes Gamedd bend junction in Gwyddelwern has been on the Welsh Government's to-do list for well over a decade, and people were promised it up until as recently as 12 months ago. In addition to that, the Corwen Road and Lôn Fawr junction on the A494 trunk road is also very dangerous, with very high speeds and lots of accidents. Now, clearly those are projects that, regardless of the Welsh Government's honourable commitment to the environment and nature, need to go ahead. So, I think what the public want to know is when will they see action so that these sorts of projects can be delivered as soon as possible.