, Plenary
Topical Questions
Thanks very much. Well, I know the strength of feeling that people have in Welshpool and in Montgomeryshire and in north Wales in relation to the air ambulance service, but I think it is important to make sure that there is an understanding that there will be…
, Plenary
Topical Questions
Thanks very much. Before I answer, I just wanted to note that there have been two Welsh air ambulances that have been involved in the major incident that has occurred in Ammanford today. I know it's a very worrying time for the school, for the parents and for…
, Plenary
Topical Questions
I note a decision has been made by the NHS Wales Joint Commissioning Committee, following an 18-month engagement process, to consolidate services currently delivered at both the Welshpool and Caernarfon bases into one north Wales base. This will be in…
, Plenary
Statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care: Creating a smoke-free generation and tackling youth vaping
Thanks very much, Vikki Howells. I'm not a nationalist. I think what we've got to do is to protect our population, and if it means that we can piggyback on what's happening in Westminster for something that will be of benefit to the Welsh public, then I for…
, Plenary
Statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care: Creating a smoke-free generation and tackling youth vaping
Thanks very much, and I wasn't aware of that particular research, so that is very concerning. Obviously, vapes are regulated by the MHRA, and people should not be—. Certainly, if they're going to vape, then make sure that it's been licensed by the MHRA. But…
, Plenary
Statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care: Creating a smoke-free generation and tackling youth vaping
Thank you very much, and I'm certainly willing to work with the Cabinet Secretary for Education on how we can provide additional support to schools to deal with this issue. It's extraordinary that children in primary schools are talking about this matter, and…
, Plenary
Statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care: Creating a smoke-free generation and tackling youth vaping
Thanks very much. I was very pleased that Huw Irranca-Davies was able to make that announcement, which means that we will be phasing out those single-use vapes, which of course will have a double benefit, not just for the environment, but obviously hopefully…
, Plenary
Statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care: Creating a smoke-free generation and tackling youth vaping
Diolch yn fawr. Well, I think, first of all, we should actually celebrate a little bit of success in this area. The fact is that the rates of smoking have come down not insignificantly over the past 10 years. So, in 2010 23 per cent of the Welsh population…
, Plenary
Statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care: Creating a smoke-free generation and tackling youth vaping
Diolch yn fawr, Gareth, and can I congratulate you on retaining your role? I actually think that poor old Rishi Sunak is not going to have a heck of a lot to show in terms of his legacy, but this is something that I think that, I hope, will be a part of his…
, Plenary
Statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care: Creating a smoke-free generation and tackling youth vaping
When asked, most smokers will tell you that they wish that they had never started smoking, and many say that they find it really hard to quit. A large number will have started smoking when they were young—more than four in five people before the age of 20…
, Plenary
Statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care: Creating a smoke-free generation and tackling youth vaping
Diolch yn fawr. Thank you for this opportunity to update Members about the important work we're carrying out to create a smoke-free Wales and to tackle youth vaping. Despite all our success in reducing smoking rates, it remains the leading cause of avoidable…
, Plenary
Topical Questions
Well, thanks very much, and I'm sure everybody will understand the extreme tragedy of this case and the real difficulties that this family has had to face. And I just want to make sure that there's an understanding that I take all regulation 28 reports…
, Plenary
Topical Questions
Diolch yn fawr. This is a tragic case, and my thoughts are with those who are affected. The health board investigated this incident at the time, and made necessary improvements. I expect immediate action by the health board following the coroner's findings…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Health and Social Services
Thanks very much, Carolyn, and thanks for everything you do on behalf of your constituents in north Wales. As you say, Betsi Cadwaladr health board currently has three specialist nurse positions that support patients with metastatic breast or colorectal…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Health and Social Services
Diolch yn fawr, Carolyn. And before I answer your question, I would like to pay tribute once again to the incredible campaigner Tassia Haines, who sadly passed away last week. I know the Dirprwy Lywydd gave a very warm tribute to her last week. She was a…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Health and Social Services
Thanks very much. Well, we have seen a significant increase in the number of medical training places in Wales, including specialty training posts. We've provided funding for an additional 55 medical students per year, in addition to the creation of the…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Health and Social Services
Despite the difficult financial situation, the Welsh Government has and will continue to invest in the workforce required to support our health system in Wales, and £281.98 million was invested in 2023-24, which included an additional £7.14 million for…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Health and Social Services
Diolch yn fawr iawn, Jane, and thank you for keeping me on my toes on this issue. I can always be assured that this is an issue that you will ask questions about. It does make a difference, and I'd like to thank you for that. I don't think 300,000 new dental…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Health and Social Services
Since April 2022, practices have been offered the opportunity to work under a variation of their unit of dental activity contract that enables them to focus on prevention and risk and need-based treatment. Capacity released by this shift has allowed 184,592…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Health and Social Services
Well, obviously, the health board is conducting its own audit and its own inquiry. The health board I know has been in touch with the Human Tissue Authority and Healthcare Inspectorate Wales regarding these incidents, and my officials and the NHS executive…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Health and Social Services
I'm very sorry for the dreadful distress that has been inflicted on these families. I think it's probably worth underlining these are very rare errors, and that, obviously, we've put the health board under a lot of pressure to make sure that they are…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Health and Social Services
These are very distressing cases, and we extend our deepest sympathies to the families involved. The health board has already taken steps to address this issue and to prevent future occurrences. We remain in close contact with the health board regarding its…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Health and Social Services
Obviously, there's a discussion ongoing at the moment on the development of the new mental health programme, and certainly the kinds of considerations that you're talking about will be dealt with in response to that. So, it's not something that we have…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Health and Social Services
Diolch yn fawr. I was very saddened to hear the testimony that they gave. One of the first things I did when I became health Minister was to read the 'Locked out' report, and it made for very, very sobering reading. I've got to assure you that the Labour…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Health and Social Services
The Welsh Government works closely with all health providers to fulfil their legal obligations under the Equality Act 2010. It scrutinies the strategic equality plans and annual equality reports of NHS organisations to measure performance and ensure that the…
