23 September 2021 , Health and Social Care Committee
General scrutiny session with the Minister for Health and Social Services, the Deputy Minister for Social Services and the Deputy Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing
We always prepare for winter. We've been preparing for winter earlier this year than ever. You're aware of the massive pressures on almost every aspect of the health service at the moment. I'm going to ask Andrew Goodall to come in in just a second to talk…
23 September 2021 , Health and Social Care Committee
General scrutiny session with the Minister for Health and Social Services, the Deputy Minister for Social Services and the Deputy Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing
I think it's probably worth just adding that there are lots of different levels of this. So, someone who's been on a ventilator may need more reconditioning after that experience, compared to someone who has not been hospitalised, perhaps, but also just…
23 September 2021 , Health and Social Care Committee
General scrutiny session with the Minister for Health and Social Services, the Deputy Minister for Social Services and the Deputy Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing
Because this relates to social care, if you don't mind, I'll ask Julie to come in on this.
23 September 2021 , Health and Social Care Committee
General scrutiny session with the Minister for Health and Social Services, the Deputy Minister for Social Services and the Deputy Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing
Diolch, Joyce. As you'll be aware, we have launched the Adferiad programme. I indicated when we launched that that we would be revising it on a six-monthly basis, partly because we're still learning about long COVID. We still are not clear what this looks…
23 September 2021 , Health and Social Care Committee
General scrutiny session with the Minister for Health and Social Services, the Deputy Minister for Social Services and the Deputy Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing
I'm going to ask the Deputy Minister to come in on this as well, but just to say that we have updated the guidance on this. We're constantly looking at this. But it is a really difficult balance, because those care home residents and the relatives of those…
23 September 2021 , Health and Social Care Committee
General scrutiny session with the Minister for Health and Social Services, the Deputy Minister for Social Services and the Deputy Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing
So, we've got a lot of experience in Wales rolling out the flu vaccination programme, although we're expecting that to be increased this year in terms of the number of people to whom that's offered, because of our concerns about the flu increase that we think…
23 September 2021 , Health and Social Care Committee
General scrutiny session with the Minister for Health and Social Services, the Deputy Minister for Social Services and the Deputy Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing
Well, it is something we've been preparing for for a very long time. So, we were slightly frustrated that the JCVI took quite so much time to determine whether we should be rolling out a booster vaccination programme. So, we've been ready; that roll-out has…
23 September 2021 , Health and Social Care Committee
General scrutiny session with the Minister for Health and Social Services, the Deputy Minister for Social Services and the Deputy Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing
So, the education Minister has set out some very clear guidance on this, and I know he is concerned about the perhaps inconsistency that is currently being undertaken across Wales, where sometimes you see whole year groups again being sent home, which was not…
23 September 2021 , Health and Social Care Committee
General scrutiny session with the Minister for Health and Social Services, the Deputy Minister for Social Services and the Deputy Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing
We're very aware of that situation, and our test, trace and protect teams are very experienced by now in terms of making sure they identify those people who have the closest connections to the person who has contracted the virus. Of course you're more likely…
23 September 2021 , Health and Social Care Committee
General scrutiny session with the Minister for Health and Social Services, the Deputy Minister for Social Services and the Deputy Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing
Well, we’ve repeatedly said that we are very anxious to try and keep our children in school, and so they were the last to close and the first to open. So, we are determined to keep on with that situation. You’ll be aware that we are now rolling out the…
23 September 2021 , Health and Social Care Committee
General scrutiny session with the Minister for Health and Social Services, the Deputy Minister for Social Services and the Deputy Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing
Well, right from the beginning of this pandemic, as the Welsh Government, we have not ruled out any measures, but we are aware at the moment that the balance has shifted as a result of a very successful vaccination programme, which means that we mustn’t just…
23 September 2021 , Health and Social Care Committee
General scrutiny session with the Minister for Health and Social Services, the Deputy Minister for Social Services and the Deputy Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing
So, we've set out, and it's set out on the Welsh Government website, exactly who's responsible for what in terms of the way we've divided our responsibilities. I will take overall responsibility for health and social care and look at the primary and secondary…
23 September 2021 , Health and Social Care Committee
General scrutiny session with the Minister for Health and Social Services, the Deputy Minister for Social Services and the Deputy Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing
I'll go first. I'm Eluned Morgan, Minister for Health and Social Services in the Welsh Government.
21 September 2021 , Plenary
, 7. & 8. The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (No. 5) (Wales) (Amendment) (No. 14) Regulations 2021, The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (No. 5) (Wales) (Amendment) (No. 15) Regulations 2021 and The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (No. 5) (Wales) (Amendment) (No. 16) Regulations 2021
May I thank Siân from Plaid Cymru for accepting the regulations? We know that there is huge pressure on our hospitals at the moment, and, of course, there is an additional effort now for us to go about ensuring that the vaccine is extended in terms of the…
21 September 2021 , Plenary
, 7. & 8. The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (No. 5) (Wales) (Amendment) (No. 14) Regulations 2021, The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (No. 5) (Wales) (Amendment) (No. 15) Regulations 2021 and The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (No. 5) (Wales) (Amendment) (No. 16) Regulations 2021
Diolch yn fawr—thank you very much. I'm very aware of the situation. Of course, today we are focused on the regulations, but I am happy to just say a few words on the social care situation. I can tell you that we are acutely aware of the stresses and the…
21 September 2021 , Plenary
, 7. & 8. The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (No. 5) (Wales) (Amendment) (No. 14) Regulations 2021, The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (No. 5) (Wales) (Amendment) (No. 15) Regulations 2021 and The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (No. 5) (Wales) (Amendment) (No. 16) Regulations 2021
Thank you very much, Llywydd. I move the motions in front of us. The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (No.5) (Wales) Regulations 2020 set out the legislative framework for four warning levels that are outlined in the coronavirus control plan. As…
21 September 2021 , Plenary
Statement by the Minister for Health and Social Services: Future approach to optometry services
Diolch yn fawr, Janet, and I met with a constituent recently also who had a similar situation. Of course, there were examples where what happened before was that those people were sent into secondary care. What we've been trying to do is to move some of this…
21 September 2021 , Plenary
Statement by the Minister for Health and Social Services: Future approach to optometry services
Diolch yn fawr, Jenny. I'm glad you agree with our move to primary care, and you're absolutely right, this is all about 'A Healthier Wales', it's delivering on what we set out, and it's about the transformation of our services. What we're doing now in terms…
21 September 2021 , Plenary
Statement by the Minister for Health and Social Services: Future approach to optometry services
Diolch yn fawr, Peredur, and thanks very much, and I think you’re absolutely right to draw attention to the fact that there have been a lot of missed appointments during the pandemic, and that could be storing up issues for the future. One of the things that…
21 September 2021 , Plenary
Statement by the Minister for Health and Social Services: Future approach to optometry services
Diolch yn fawr, Russell. It is true, of course, that there has undoubtedly been a reduction in terms of the number of eye tests carried out. That is not surprising in light of the fact that actually for lots of months of the year lots of society was closed…
21 September 2021 , Plenary
Statement by the Minister for Health and Social Services: Future approach to optometry services
The pandemic caused whole-system disruption to health services. However, it provided the opportunity, in the wake of the pandemic, to redesign service delivery, ensuring sustainable models for the future. Therefore, with people starting to feel more confident…
21 September 2021 , Plenary
Statement by the Minister for Health and Social Services: Future approach to optometry services
Diolch yn fawr. 'The Future Approach for Optometry Services in Wales', published in March, is ambitious and it's transformative, changing the way eye health services are delivered. Aligned to 'A Healthier Wales', and underpinned by the key principles of…
15 September 2021 , Plenary
Welsh Conservatives Debate: Access to defibrillators
We need to have designated carers for defibrillators—people who can look after them to ensure that they work properly. At the moment, only a little under 50 per cent of defibrillators have been registered and have maintenance people in place to ensure that…
15 September 2021 , Plenary
Welsh Conservatives Debate: Access to defibrillators
Well, I'm certainly happy to take a look at that. I think that the fact that we have put considerable additional resources in over this summer, I hope, will go some way towards reaching a target. I'm happy to look at a target because I do think that it's…
15 September 2021 , Plenary
Welsh Conservatives Debate: Access to defibrillators
Diolch yn fawr iawn. I'd like to thank Members for the thoughtful contributions that they have made today, and in particular, thank Darren Millar and Gareth for introducing this really important issue. Genuinely, there is consensus within this Chamber that…
