13 contributions on record. Newest first, by sitting day. Page 1 of 1. Counted by Siambr
6. Pa drafodaethau diweddar y mae'r Prif Weinidog wedi'u cael gyda'r Gweinidog Cabinet dros Iechyd a Gofal ynghylch gwasanaethau cymorth iechyd meddwl i bobl ifanc? OQ64844
6. What recent discussions has the First Minister had with the Cabinet Minister for Health and Care regarding mental health support services for young people? OQ64844
Given that specialist psychological therapy waiting times in Wales remain at the highest levels since the pandemic, with thousands waiting more than 26 weeks, what concrete commitments, if any, emerge from those discussions with the Cabinet Secretary to reduce specialist child and adolescent mental health services and therapy waits for young people in the Betsi Cadwaladr and Powys health board areas that serve Gwynedd Maldwyn?
I think my question's been answered. Thank you.
Diolch. First Minister, what Welsh farmers need is a Government that understands and prioritises, not yet another 'expert panel' kicking the can down the road. Given that under the previous Labour-Plaid administration the sustainable farming scheme significantly increased regulatory complexity, can the Welsh Government please give assurances that the national food strategy will not place additional bureaucratic burdens on farmers and producers that they do not need at this time?
First, I'd like to thank you, First Minister, for the advance notice of your statement. I'd like to associate myself with your remarks in respect of the thanks that we owe to our fire and rescue services, emergency workers and, in my constituency as well, our farmers, which we've all discussed previously, who all played a crucial role in battling the wildfires and supporting our fellow citizens. Had it not been for their bravery and skills, the damage could have been a lot, lot worse.
First Minister, I was not alone in being frightened by the intensity and proximity of wildfires during the summer in my constituency of Gwynedd Maldwyn, including one which was a very short distance from my own home. Again, I saw the flames. The fear was felt by many of my fellow citizens all over Wales, from Corwen in the north, Pembrokeshire, Carmarthen, down to category 3 blazes in Blaenavon, Ferndale, Ebbw Vale, just to name a few. Our thoughts are really with them at this time.
First Minister, as you have acknowledged, homes were evacuated, and scientists have described the impact of the wildfires across Wales as absolutely catastrophic. Can you reassure my constituents, please, that your Government will share the lessons that have been learnt, and can you tell us what practical measures you propose so that they can be subject to proper scrutiny?
2. Pa gamau mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn eu cymryd i wella gofal i gleifion â chlefyd cardiofasgwlaidd y mae angen triniaeth drawsffiniol arnynt? OQ64417
2. What steps is the Welsh Government taking to improve care for patients with cardiovascular disease who require cross-border treatment? OQ64417
Thank you, Minister. I have personal experience of this issue. My father was rushed into hospital in Hereford, across the border, 42 miles away from home, after suffering a heart attack whilst, ironically, teaching cardiopulmonary resuscitation. He had then to be transferred to Wolverhampton—and this was actually the hospital that he was born in—where he was eventually given a quadruple heart bypass. The journey there and the length of his stay, and the difficulty in visiting him, all added to the stress of the experience. The whole experience was stressful for him and his loved ones. The scale of the challenge posed by cardiovascular ill health can be judged by the fact that British Heart Foundation Cymru say that there are around 26,000 people living with cardiovascular disease in Gwynedd Maldwyn alone today, and that number is growing. This disease causes 57 deaths each month and 680 deaths each year in my constituency alone. The British Heart Foundation calculate that the total annual healthcare cost of this disease across Wales is £770 million. Whilst the National Adult Cardiac Surgery Audit includes data for waiting times and surgery performed in England and Wales, not all data is available for Wales, which makes it much harder to scrutinise the Wales NHS performance.
Sorry. Can the Minister please tell the Senedd what plans he has to ensure that all relevant data for Wales is made available to us?
Thank you for your answer, Minister. Given the range of issues and concerns that have been identified and brought to me, such as vacant and underused properties, no meaningful increase in footfall, and the need to support long-term private sector growth, alongside many other issues, it's essential that Members are provided with a comprehensive breakdown of how the Transforming Towns initiative money has been spent across Wales and how that is broken down by constituency or even by local authority area. As of last Thursday, this information was not currently available. Can you please tell us when you intend to publish this information so that Members can ensure that this money has been well spent?
Trefnydd, every year, around 400 people in Wales are diagnosed with leukaemia. The outcomes can vary significantly depending on where they live, with many patients facing delays in diagnosis and unequal access to specialist treatment and care. Leukaemia UK's recent report, 'Turning ambition into progress for people with leukaemia in Wales', sets out practical recommendations to improve outcomes, including early diagnosis, equitable access to treatment, stronger cancer leadership and better data collection—all of this ensuring that leukaemia is fully reflected in future cancer policy. Leukaemia sufferers and their friends, family and loved ones in my constituency of Gwynedd Maldwyn have asked that the Minister for health and social care considers these recommendations and set out what action the Welsh Government will take to ensure that people affected by this disease no longer face a postcode lottery in accessing the care and support that they need.
Llywydd, I'd like to request a statement from the Cabinet Minister for education on additional learning needs funding levels in Wales. It is clear that the additional learning needs system in Wales is under strain, with councils' spending on ALN increasing by a staggering 34 per cent in real terms between 2018-19 and 2025-26. Not only that, but an Audit Wales report concluded that poor data collection and ineffectual public bodies are holding back the entire system. Children with ALN can't wait years and years for a fix. So, will the education Minister make a statement outlining what she will do to improve this failing system that we have? And what guarantees will she give that the Barnett consequentials coming to Wales for ALN are actually spent on ALN?
Dan Thomas.
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