Siambr · Natasha Asghar
Written questions
126 written questions on record from the Seventh Senedd on, newest first. Page 1 of 3.
WQ101117 · Tabled · No answer published
How much has the Welsh Government spent through public procurement in each of the last 5 years, broken down by supplier location in or outside of Wales, and how much went to small to medium-sized enterprises and larger enterprises?
To be answered by: Cabinet Minister for Finance
WQ101069 · Tabled · Answered
When will a decision be made on the long-term funding of Canopi beyond March 2027?
Answered by Deputy Minister for Social Care, Mental Health and Women’s Health
A decision on funding beyond March 2027 will be made shortly. In the meantime, Welsh Government would like to express its sincere appreciation for Canopi and its ongoing commitment to supporting people’s mental health and wellbeing. The care and dedication demonstrated through this work are greatly valued.
WQ101058 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Welsh Government provide an update on plans to redevelop Old Green Roundabout in Newport, including when work is expected to start?
Answered by Deputy Minister for Transport
The Welsh Government has provided funding to Newport City Council to develop public transport and active travel improvements in central Newport that support Regional Transport Plan priorities. Detailed design work reflecting stakeholder feedback is underway this year and will inform future decisions on the delivery and timing of the scheme.
WQ101057 · Tabled · No answer published
What action is the Welsh Government taking to improve waiting times for diagnosis and treatment of sleep apnoea?
To be answered by: Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
WQ101027 · Tabled · No answer published
What action is the Welsh Government taking to improve investment into specialist healthcare provision for patients with resistant infections in rural areas of Wales?
To be answered by: Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
WQ101026 · Tabled · No answer published
What action is the Welsh Government taking to ensure that patients accessing cross-border specialist care and support for chronic and resistant UTIs will have adequate integration and contact between English and Welsh NHS services, as currently there is no coordination with GP care in Wales?
To be answered by: Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
WQ101025 · Tabled · No answer published
What plans does the Welsh Government have to offer specialist urology care and other specialist health services so that patients no longer have to travel to England to receive the treatment they need?
To be answered by: Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
WQ100948 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Cabinet Secretary confirm when the workforce plan for the NHS in Wales will be published?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
I will provide an update to Members of the Senedd on the NHS Wales workforce plan in an Oral Statement on 3 November.
WQ100947 · Tabled · Answered
What specific action is the Welsh Government taking to close the gap between the standard of care that people with asthma and COPD should be able to expect and the care they currently receive?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
The Welsh Government recognises that there can be variation between the care people with asthma and COPD should receive and the care they actually experience. To address this, we have set clear expectations through the Quality Statement for Respiratory Disease and require NHS Wales services to deliver care in line with nationally recognised clinical guidance and standards, including those produced by NICE and the British Thoracic Society. We also fund the National Respiratory Audit Programme to identify variation in care and support continuous improvement across Wales.
Improving respiratory care remains a priority for NHS Wales. Through the national respiratory clinical network and NHS Performance and Improvement, work is underway with health boards to reduce unwarranted variation, standardise COPD reviews, strengthen chronic respiratory disease management, and develop community-based breathlessness services. We continue to reinforce the importance of key interventions such as timely diagnosis, annual reviews, personalised care planning and access to spirometry.
Health boards are expected to provide services in line with clinical guidance, and national improvement work is helping to identify barriers, share best practice and improve consistency of provision. Audit data and performance discussions with health boards are important tools for driving further improvement.
The Welsh Government is also taking wider action to improve lung health and prevent respiratory disease. This includes implementing the Environment (Air Quality and Soundscapes) (Wales) Act 2024, supporting the implementation of the Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026, and introducing a national lung screening programme from 2028. Together, these measures will help improve respiratory health outcomes and reduce the burden of lung disease in Wales
WQ100931 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Cabinet Minister confirm the government's plans for Canopi beyond March 2027?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
The Welsh Government is clear in its commitment to improving mental health and wellbeing across Wales, including for our workforce. We recognise the excellent support provided by Canopi to NHS and Social Care staff recovering from mental ill-health and the importance of continued collaboration as plans for the Canopi service beyond March 2027 develop.
WQ100889 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Welsh Government provide the latest traffic count data for the Coldra Interchange in Newport?
Answered by Deputy Minister for Transport
This question is a request for recorded information and has been passed for FoI response.
WQ100902 · Tabled · Answered
What does the Welsh Government expect the average number of vehicles using the Coldra Interchange every day to be under its proposals to close junctions 25, 26 and 27?
Answered by Deputy Minister for Transport
The report published alongside my Statement on 6 October does not recommend the closure of three M4 junctions. Rather, one of the options considered in the report involves the full closure of Junction 27 (High Cross) and the closure of the east-facing slip roads at Junctions 26 (Malpas) and 25 (Caerleon), with the remaining parts of those junctions continuing to operate. The report notes that alternative combinations of partial or full closures could also be explored through further study.
The report acknowledges that, if such changes were pursued, some traffic would be expected to reassign to other routes, including the Coldra Interchange. However, the report does not provide a forecast of the expected average daily number of vehicles that would use the Coldra Interchange under this option, as its analysis is strategic and high-level in nature.
Consistent with the commitments made in the technical briefing and in the Senedd, we will undertake meaningful engagement with local authorities, communities and stakeholders before any decisions are taken. Further analysis and detailed traffic modelling will also be undertaken to better understand the impacts on local roads, congestion and journey patterns, as identified in the review.
WQ100894 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Welsh Government confirm the average number of vehicles using junction 27 on the M4 every day?
Answered by Deputy Minister for Transport
This question is a request for recorded information and has been passed for FoI response.
WQ100893 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Welsh Government confirm the expected average number of vehicles using junction 28 on the M4 every day, if its plans to close junctions 27, 26, and 25 go ahead?
Answered by Deputy Minister for Transport
The report published alongside my Statement on 6 October does not recommend the closure of three M4 junctions. Rather, one of the options considered in the report involves the full closure of Junction 27 (High Cross) and the closure of the east-facing slip roads at Junctions 26 (Malpas) and 25 (Caerleon), with the remaining parts of those junctions continuing to operate. The report notes that alternative combinations of partial or full closures could also be explored through further study.
The report acknowledges that, if such changes were pursued, some traffic would be expected to reassign to other routes, including Junction 28 and the local road network. However, the report does not provide a forecast of the expected average daily number of vehicles that would use Junction 28 under this option, as its analysis is strategic and high level in nature.
As set out during the technical briefing and in the Senedd, no decisions have been taken on any of the options identified in the report. Before any decisions are made, we will undertake detailed traffic modelling and meaningful engagement with local authorities, communities and stakeholders to fully understand the impacts, benefits and consequences of any potential change
WQ100892 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Welsh Government confirm the average number of vehicles using the Coldra Interchange (M4 Junction 24) every day?
Answered by Deputy Minister for Transport
This question is a request for recorded information and has been passed for FoI response.
WQ100891 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Welsh Government confirm the average number of vehicles using junction 28 on the M4 every day?
Answered by Deputy Minister for Transport
This question is a request for recorded information and has been passed for FoI response.
WQ100890 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Welsh Government confirm the average number of vehicles using the Coldra Interchange every day?
Answered by Deputy Minister for Transport
This question is a request for recorded information and has been passed for FoI response.
WQ100875 · Tabled · Answered
What consideration has the Welsh Government given to removing the 50 mph speed limits on the M4 at Newport and reinstating the road to 70 mph?
Answered by Deputy Minister for Transport
The 50 mph speed limits on sections of the M4 around Newport remain in place and there are currently no immediate plans to reinstate a 70 mph limit. As with any part of the strategic road network, speed limits may be reviewed in the future if there is a clear case and need to do so.
WQ100841 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Welsh Government confirm the total cost of closing junctions 27, 26 and 25 of the M4 at Newport, and outline how it will be funded?
Answered by Deputy Minister for Transport
Information relating to the potential alternations to M4 junctions, such as cost and programme estimates, is contained within my oral statement on 6 October and the accompanying technical report published on the Welsh Government website. Further work will be undertaken to develop the proposals, assess their potential impacts and engage with local communities, businesses and other stakeholders to inform their development and ensure that implications for the surrounding road network are fully considered.
WQ100840 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Welsh Government confirm when they expect the planned junction closures on the M4 at Newport to come into force?
Answered by Deputy Minister for Transport
Information relating to the potential alternations to M4 junctions, such as cost and programme estimates, is contained within my oral statement on 6 October and the accompanying technical report published on the Welsh Government website. Further work will be undertaken to develop the proposals, assess their potential impacts and engage with local communities, businesses and other stakeholders to inform their development and ensure that implications for the surrounding road network are fully considered.
WQ100839 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Welsh Government outline the rationale for earmarking junctions 27, 26, and 25 on the M4 at Newport for closure?
Answered by Deputy Minister for Transport
Information relating to the potential alternations to M4 junctions, such as cost and programme estimates, is contained within my oral statement on 6 October and the accompanying technical report published on the Welsh Government website. Further work will be undertaken to develop the proposals, assess their potential impacts and engage with local communities, businesses and other stakeholders to inform their development and ensure that implications for the surrounding road network are fully considered.
WQ100838 · Tabled · Answered
What impact assessment has the Welsh Government undertaken in relation to plans to close junctions 27, 26, and 25 of the M4 at Newport?
Answered by Deputy Minister for Transport
Information relating to the potential alternations to M4 junctions, such as cost and programme estimates, is contained within my oral statement on 6 October and the accompanying technical report published on the Welsh Government website. Further work will be undertaken to develop the proposals, assess their potential impacts and engage with local communities, businesses and other stakeholders to inform their development and ensure that implications for the surrounding road network are fully considered.
WQ100837 · Tabled · Answered
What consultation did the Welsh Government held with businesses and residents in Newport before announcing plans to close motorway junctions along the M4?
Answered by Deputy Minister for Transport
Information relating to the potential alternations to M4 junctions, such as cost and programme estimates, is contained within my oral statement on 6 October and the accompanying technical report published on the Welsh Government website. Further work will be undertaken to develop the proposals, assess their potential impacts and engage with local communities, businesses and other stakeholders to inform their development and ensure that implications for the surrounding road network are fully considered.
WQ100742 · Tabled · Answered
How will the Welsh Government ensure that pathology services in Wales are backed up by modern, interoperable IT systems that enable the implementation of new technologies, including artificial intelligence?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
The Welsh Government recognises that modern, interoperable digital systems are essential to support safe, sustainable pathology services and to enable the adoption of new technologies, where they are clinically appropriate and properly governed.
Digital Health and Care Wales is progressing with Laboratory Information Management System implementation across NHS Wales to provide a uniform digital platform for pathology services, supporting improved information sharing and future service development.
WQ100741 · Tabled · Answered
How does the Welsh Government intend to meet the recommendation of the NHS Wales Performance and Productivity independent review to create regional pathology services that are safe, sustainable and fit for the future?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
The Welsh Government recognises the importance of safe, sustainable and high-quality pathology services for patients and clinicians across Wales. We are taking forward the recommendation of the NHS Wales Performance and Productivity independent review through regional planning arrangements that bring health boards together to consider how pathology services should be organised for the future.
This work is being progressed through regional pathology project groups, supported by NHS Wales organisations and Welsh Government officials. The focus is on developing service models that are clinically safe, resilient, sustainable and able to support timely access to diagnostic testing, while making best use of specialist workforce, estate, equipment and digital infrastructure.
Business cases from the South East and South West Wales regional pathology project groups are expected to be submitted to the Welsh Government in autumn/winter 2027. These will set out the proposed approach to regional service configuration, the investment required and how the proposals will support safe, sustainable and fit-for-the-future pathology services.
The Welsh Government has supported Hywel Dda University Health Board and Swansea Bay University Health Board with the fees required to develop the business case for a new regional cellular pathology facility for South West Wales. We will continue to work with NHS Wales partners as these plans develop, ensuring that any proposals are considered through the appropriate planning, scrutiny and business case processes.
WQ100740 · Tabled · Answered
What assessment has the Welsh Government made of the impact of workforce shortages in Welsh pathology services?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
Responsibility for workforce planning, recruitment and deployment rests with individual health boards, who are responsible for ensuring they have the workforce required to meet local service needs.
The Welsh Government recognises that workforce shortages can create service pressures and affect the resilience of pathology services in some areas of Wales.
Through Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW), the Welsh Government supports workforce supply through investment in education and training. Pathology is a key component of HEIW's Diagnostics Workforce Plan, with action focused on workforce sustainability, training, education and workforce supply to support service recovery and transformation.
These actions are increasing the supply of pathologists available to health boards across Wales. Official statistics show a marginal rise in the number of full-time equivalent professionals working in specialist pathology over the past 12 months.
WQ100727 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Cabinet Minister confirm when the Cardiff Parkway development will begin?
Answered by Deputy Minister for Transport
We want Cardiff Parkway station to be delivered as quickly as possible as part of the programme to deliver the ‘Burns Stations’ in the south east of Wales. Cardiff Parkway forms a key part of our ambitions for a better connected and more sustainable transport network. The Cabinet Minister for Finance recently wrote to the UK Chancellor seeking the funding for the delivery of the Burns Stations including Cardiff Parkway to be included in the Autumn Statement. I am confident that Transport for Wales and Network Rail will be able to work in partnership to deliver the station at pace.
WQ100606 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Welsh Government provide an update on when it plans to publish guidance following its review into course designation policy, including consideration of regulatory changes associated with reforms to higher education regulation in England?
Answered by Deputy Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education
The Welsh Government has published guidance setting out changes to course designation arrangements that will apply from the 2027/28 academic year onwards. Details of these changes is available at: https://www.gov.wales/changes-higher-education-course-designation-arrangements-sfwin-062026-html.
These changes will simplify course designation arrangements so that they align more closely with the regulatory frameworks in Wales and England, providing greater certainty for students and providers. From 1 August 2027, more courses delivered by appropriately regulated providers will be automatically designated for Welsh student support, and from 1 August 2028 we intend to align the designation of franchised courses delivered in England with the strengthened regulatory arrangements being introduced by the UK Government in England.
WQ100594 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Cabinet Minister commit to ensuring women with incurable breast cancer in Wales can access Enhertu on the NHS?
Answered by Deputy Minister for Social Care, Mental Health and Women’s Health
We welcome the news that NICE has reached an agreement with manufacturers for Enhertu to be made available.
Once the manufacturer confirms the terms of the agreement apply to NHS Wales as we expect, all health boards should make Enhertu available to those who are eligible as soon as possible.
WQ100520 · Tabled · Answered
Will lived experience be central to the Welsh Government's implementation of the National Clinical Strategy for Ophthalmology?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
Health boards have submitted plans setting out how they intend to use their share of the additional £145 million investment to improve access to care and reduce waiting times, including in ophthalmology services. These plans are currently being assessed. Final allocations and the delivery commitments associated with this investment will be published by each health board on their websites from October 2026.
The National Clinical Strategy for Ophthalmology was developed through extensive consultation with clinicians, operational teams, patient groups and third sector partners from across Wales. The strategy promotes a whole-pathway approach to eye care, designed around the needs and experience of patients, and this principle will continue to inform its implementation.
As health boards take forward delivery of the strategy, patient and public perspectives will remain an important part of service redesign to help ensure ophthalmology services are accessible, sustainable and focused on improving outcomes and experience for people requiring eye care in Wales
WQ100519 · Tabled · Answered
How much of the extra £145 million announced on 17 June 2026 for NHS Wales will be allocated to tackling ophthalmology waiting lists?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
Health boards have submitted plans setting out how they intend to use their share of the additional £145 million investment to improve access to care and reduce waiting times, including in ophthalmology services. These plans are currently being assessed. Final allocations and the delivery commitments associated with this investment will be published by each health board on their websites from October 2026.
The National Clinical Strategy for Ophthalmology was developed through extensive consultation with clinicians, operational teams, patient groups and third sector partners from across Wales. The strategy promotes a whole-pathway approach to eye care, designed around the needs and experience of patients, and this principle will continue to inform its implementation.
As health boards take forward delivery of the strategy, patient and public perspectives will remain an important part of service redesign to help ensure ophthalmology services are accessible, sustainable and focused on improving outcomes and experience for people requiring eye care in Wales
WQ100510 · Tabled · Answered
When will the Welsh Government make a decision on approving the business case relating to infrastructure improvements to support the expansion of the newborn screening laboratory in Cardiff?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
My officials are working closely with NHS partners on proposals to establish the requirements for modernising and futureproofing newborn screening infrastructure in Wales that include laboratory developments. These are required before additional conditions can be safely introduced and enable us to respond to future newborn screening developments and recommendations from UK National Screening Committee. We expect to receive advice on the proposals during the next few weeks.
WQ100512 · Tabled · Answered
What action is the Welsh Government taking to tackle pavement parking in Newport and Islwyn?
Answered by Deputy Minister for Transport
Responsibility for tackling pavement parking is currently shared between local authorities and the police.
The police can take action where pavement parking amounts to a criminal offence, including unnecessary obstruction of the highway, dangerous parking, or driving on the footway. They may issue fixed penalties, require a vehicle to be moved, or arrange for its removal.
Local authorities have more limited powers. They can enforce existing parking restrictions through civil enforcement, make Traffic Regulation Orders prohibiting pavement parking in specific locations, and use highways powers where vehicles create hazards or obstruct maintenance activities. However, councils cannot generally enforce pavement parking solely because a vehicle is parked on the pavement.
This Government is committed to making walking, wheeling and cycling safe, practical and accessible choices for everyday journeys.
Pavement parking can create significant barriers for pedestrians, particularly disabled people, older people, children and people with pushchairs. We are therefore working to raise awareness that pavements are for pedestrians, supported by effective enforcement.
Officials have been in discussions with Transport Scotland and the Department for Transport and are now considering how best to provide local authorities across Wales with further powers to tackle pavement parking.
WQ100511 · Tabled · Answered
What estimate has the Welsh Government made of the number of babies born in Wales who may not benefit from pre-symptomatic diagnosis of spinal muscular atrophy as a consequence of delays to participating in the in-service evaluation for newborn screening?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
Substantive response
WQ100509 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Cabinet Minister provide an update on plans to upgrade newborn screening laboratory capacity to facilitate future participation in newborn spinal muscular atrophy screening programmes?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
Substantive response
WQ100508 · Tabled · Answered
What steps is the Welsh Government taking to ensure that babies born in Wales have equal access to newborn spinal muscular atrophy screening compared with babies born in Scotland and England?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
Substantive response
WQ100411 · Tabled · Answered
What representations has the Welsh Government made to the UK Government concerning the Rare Cancers Act 2026 statutory duty to undertake an orphan drugs review?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
Prior to the Bill receiving Royal Assent in March 2026, Welsh Government officials held discussions with Department of Health counterparts regarding its potential implications. These discussions supported coordination and alignment across the UK in relation to the objectives set out in the Rare Cancers Bill - now the Rare Cancer Act 2026.
The Rare Cancers Act 2026 places a statutory duty on the UK Secretary of State to undertake a review of the law relating to marketing authorisations for orphan medicinal products that are for the diagnosis, prevention or treatment of cancer.
Powers regarding the grant of marketing authorisations for medicinal products are reserved by the UK Government and medicines licensing is the responsibility of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
Welsh Government officials meet regularly with the MHRA to discuss a range of issues, including progress on the review being undertaken by the MHRA in response to the requirements of the Rare Cancers Act.
WQ100412 · Tabled · Answered
What representations has the Welsh Government made to the UK Government to ensure that eligible patients in Wales contribute to and benefit from the practical cross-border impacts of the Rare Cancers Act 2026?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
Prior to the Bill receiving Royal Assent in March 2026, Welsh Government officials held discussions with Department of Health counterparts regarding its potential implications. These discussions supported coordination and alignment across the UK in relation to the objectives set out in the Rare Cancers Bill - now the Rare Cancer Act 2026.
Whilst responsibility for implementation of the Rare Cancers Act rests primarily with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, there is an important role for each of the UK nations to ensure that the necessary arrangements are in place to support its effective implementation so that the opportunities and expectations arising from the Act are appropriately reflected within Welsh systems and programmes.
No specific representations have been made to UK Government about the Rare Cancer Act 2026 since royal assent. However, discussions on cross-border impacts for Welsh patients being able to effectively access research trials across the UK (for Cancer and other conditions) are part of regular engagement between Welsh Government officials and UK Government colleagues occurs through established implementation and governance arrangements.
Health and Care Research Wales, which is supported by the Welsh Government, funds a national Health and Care Research Wales Delivery Hub to facilitate the efficient set up of studies so that the opportunity for participants to take part in research studies and clinical trials is available as quickly as possible. The hub also provides a horizon scanning function for all studies open across the UK, particularly if the condition is rare, the NHS will facilitate patients to travel to specialist site.
WQ100409 · Tabled · Answered
What steps is the Welsh Government taking to clean up contaminated land across Wales, such as the Ty Llwyd Quarry?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability
Addressing land contamination is a priority for this Government. We are committed to developing a Wales-wide strategy to progressively restore post-industrial land and protecting communities from potential risks. This includes strengthening the “polluters pay principle” and ensuring the UK Government makes a fair contribution to remediating the impacts of industrial pollution that pre-dates devolution.
WQ100406 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Cabinet Minister outline which schools will be taking part in the Welsh Government's recently announced community-focused schools pilots aimed at tackling behavioural issues?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Education and the Welsh Language
Last month, I announced targeted funding for a series of bespoke pilot projects to explore how restorative approaches can improve behaviour. The pilots will help build the evidence base to ensure that future interventions meet the needs of learners, families and school communities. This approach will also inform the development of a wider national attendance, behaviour and wellbeing framework and wrap around programme to support engagement with schools. This work has begun and as set out in my Written Statement of 27 August I will provide further details on participating local authorities and schools in due course.
WQ100405 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Welsh Government confirm who will be carrying out the independent review into the Welsh Gender Service?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
The Welsh Government does not have a role in the NWJCC’s performance and escalation process. The NWJCC are identifying independent reviewers with relevant and high-level expertise within the field of gender health for both the urgent clinical review of patients on the waiting list for surgery, and the planned non-surgical review of the Welsh Gender Service.
However, given the level of interest in this area, and to ensure objectivity, my understanding is that the names of the reviewers will not be made public.
WQ100401 · Tabled · Answered
What action is the Welsh Government taking to improve outcomes for people with avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder?
Answered by Deputy Minister for Social Care, Mental Health and Women’s Health
The Strategic Programme for Mental Health, within NHS Performance and Improvement, has developed a dedicated national pathway and eating disorder training for all medical professionals about recognising and treating avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID). This is a new pathway and NHS Performance and Improvement will work with teams across all health boards to support implementation and to establish a national community of practice for ARFID.
This work was informed by a task and finish group which included clinicians, service users, the third sector and carers.
WQ100215 · Tabled · Answered
What discussions have there been between the All Wales Medicines Strategy Group and the UK Government officials responsible for implementing the UK-wide provisions of the Rare Cancers Act 2026 since the legislation secured Royal Assent earlier this year?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
Prior to the Bill receiving Royal Assent in March 2026, Welsh Government officials held discussions with Department of Health counterparts regarding its potential implications. These discussions supported coordination and alignment across the UK in relation to the objectives set out in the Rare Cancers Bill - now the Rare Cancer Act 2026.
Whilst responsibility for implementation of the Rare Cancers Act rests primarily with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, there is an important role for each of the UK nations to ensure that the necessary arrangements are in place to support its effective implementation so that the opportunities and expectations arising from the Act are appropriately reflected within Welsh systems and programmes. Engagement between Welsh Government officials and relevant organisations in Wales is undertaken as required through established implementation and governance arrangements. I am therefore not aware of any direct discussions between Welsh organisations and UK Government.
WQ100214 · Tabled · Answered
What discussions have there been between the NHS Wales Joint Commissioning Committee and the UK Government officials responsible for implementing the UK-wide provisions of the Rare Cancers Act 2026 since the legislation secured Royal Assent earlier this year?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
Prior to the Bill receiving Royal Assent in March 2026, Welsh Government officials held discussions with Department of Health counterparts regarding its potential implications. These discussions supported coordination and alignment across the UK in relation to the objectives set out in the Rare Cancers Bill - now the Rare Cancer Act 2026.
Whilst responsibility for implementation of the Rare Cancers Act rests primarily with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, there is an important role for each of the UK nations to ensure that the necessary arrangements are in place to support its effective implementation so that the opportunities and expectations arising from the Act are appropriately reflected within Welsh systems and programmes. Engagement between Welsh Government officials and relevant organisations in Wales is undertaken as required through established implementation and governance arrangements. I am therefore not aware of any direct discussions between Welsh organisations and UK Government.
WQ100213 · Tabled · Answered
What discussions have there been between Digital Health and Care Wales and the UK Government officials responsible for implementing the UK-wide provisions of the Rare Cancers Act 2026 since the legislation secured Royal Assent earlier this year?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
Prior to the Bill receiving Royal Assent in March 2026, Welsh Government officials held discussions with Department of Health counterparts regarding its potential implications. These discussions supported coordination and alignment across the UK in relation to the objectives set out in the Rare Cancers Bill - now the Rare Cancer Act 2026.
Whilst responsibility for implementation of the Rare Cancers Act rests primarily with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, there is an important role for each of the UK nations to ensure that the necessary arrangements are in place to support its effective implementation so that the opportunities and expectations arising from the Act are appropriately reflected within Welsh systems and programmes. Engagement between Welsh Government officials and relevant organisations in Wales is undertaken as required through established implementation and governance arrangements. I am therefore not aware of any direct discussions between Welsh organisations and UK Government.
WQ100212 · Tabled · Answered
What discussions have there been between Health and Care Research Wales and the UK Government officials responsible for implementing the UK-wide provisions of the Rare Cancers Act 2026 since the legislation secured Royal Assent earlier this year?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
Prior to the Bill receiving Royal Assent in March 2026, Welsh Government officials held discussions with Department of Health counterparts regarding its potential implications. These discussions supported coordination and alignment across the UK in relation to the objectives set out in the Rare Cancers Bill - now the Rare Cancer Act 2026.
Whilst responsibility for implementation of the Rare Cancers Act rests primarily with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, there is an important role for each of the UK nations to ensure that the necessary arrangements are in place to support its effective implementation so that the opportunities and expectations arising from the Act are appropriately reflected within Welsh systems and programmes. Engagement between Welsh Government officials and relevant organisations in Wales is undertaken as required through established implementation and governance arrangements. I am therefore not aware of any direct discussions between Welsh organisations and UK Government.
WQ100211 · Tabled · Answered
What discussions have there been between the National Cancer Team within NHS Wales Performance and Improvement and the UK Government officials responsible for implementing the UK-wide provisions of the Rare Cancers Act 2026 since the legislation secured Royal Assent earlier this year?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
Prior to the Bill receiving Royal Assent in March 2026, Welsh Government officials held discussions with Department of Health counterparts regarding its potential implications. These discussions supported coordination and alignment across the UK in relation to the objectives set out in the Rare Cancers Bill - now the Rare Cancer Act 2026.
Whilst responsibility for implementation of the Rare Cancers Act rests primarily with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, there is an important role for each of the UK nations to ensure that the necessary arrangements are in place to support its effective implementation so that the opportunities and expectations arising from the Act are appropriately reflected within Welsh systems and programmes. Engagement between Welsh Government officials and relevant organisations in Wales is undertaken as required through established implementation and governance arrangements. I am therefore not aware of any direct discussions between Welsh organisations and UK Government.
WQ100077 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Welsh Government's recently convened expert group tasked with publishing a delivery plan to expand surgical hubs provision produce a roadmap with target dates for reducing orthopaedic waiting times back to the pre-pandemic 26 week target?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
The Elective Care Expert Task and Finish Group brings together a broad range of clinical and operational expertise to develop a national delivery plan for up to 10 elective care hubs across Wales.
The Elective Care Expert Task and Finish Group will plan out how many hubs are needed, where they will be based and how they will increase capacity in the system. The Group will outline its recommendations to me by the end of the year.
The hubs are at the heart of tacking the inherited long waiting lists, with the aim to deliver sustainable improvements in access and treatment by increasing capacity for diagnostics and planned surgery (including orthopaedics).
The elective care hubs will be implemented and operationalised over the course of this Senedd term.
WQ99961 · Tabled · Answered
What plans does the Welsh Government have to improve referral-to-treatment data for elective orthopaedic surgery so that it captures the full time patients wait for treatment, including any waits for clinical musculoskeletal assessment and treatment services or equivalent assessment and triage services?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
The Welsh Government expects health boards to maximise capacity, improve productivity and deliver planned care recovery programmes to reduce long waits and improve access, while ensuring value for money and maintaining high standards of quality and safety.
Health boards are responsible for planning and securing services to meet the needs of their populations and may consider a range of options to support timely access to treatment, including arrangements with other NHS organisations and, where appropriate, independent sector providers.
The Welsh Government continues to work with NHS organisations to reduce waiting times across elective care, including orthopaedic services. In June 2026, the Welsh Government announced an additional £145 million investment in NHS Wales, including funding to support the reduction of waiting times and investment in new surgical and diagnostic hub infrastructure. An expert clinically led group has also been established to develop plans for up to 10 elective care hubs across Wales. While this work is being developed, health boards will continue to use existing planned care arrangements and available capacity to support reductions in waiting times.
Performance is measured through Welsh Government's referral-to-treatment performance framework, which measures the patient pathway from referral through to treatment and provides a consistent national measure of waiting times across specialties, including orthopaedics.
Clinical musculoskeletal assessment and treatment services, and equivalent assessment and triage services, form part of local health board arrangements and are not collected or reported as separate national RTT measures by the Welsh Government. The Welsh Government currently has no plans to introduce separate national reporting for these services. Health boards remain responsible for the management and performance of their local assessment pathways.
WQ99960 · Tabled · Answered
What are the waiting times to access the clinical musculoskeletal assessment and treatment service or equivalent assessment and triage services in each health board?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
The Welsh Government expects health boards to maximise capacity, improve productivity and deliver planned care recovery programmes to reduce long waits and improve access, while ensuring value for money and maintaining high standards of quality and safety.
Health boards are responsible for planning and securing services to meet the needs of their populations and may consider a range of options to support timely access to treatment, including arrangements with other NHS organisations and, where appropriate, independent sector providers.
The Welsh Government continues to work with NHS organisations to reduce waiting times across elective care, including orthopaedic services. In June 2026, the Welsh Government announced an additional £145 million investment in NHS Wales, including funding to support the reduction of waiting times and investment in new surgical and diagnostic hub infrastructure. An expert clinically led group has also been established to develop plans for up to 10 elective care hubs across Wales. While this work is being developed, health boards will continue to use existing planned care arrangements and available capacity to support reductions in waiting times.
Performance is measured through Welsh Government's referral-to-treatment performance framework, which measures the patient pathway from referral through to treatment and provides a consistent national measure of waiting times across specialties, including orthopaedics.
Clinical musculoskeletal assessment and treatment services, and equivalent assessment and triage services, form part of local health board arrangements and are not collected or reported as separate national RTT measures by the Welsh Government. The Welsh Government currently has no plans to introduce separate national reporting for these services. Health boards remain responsible for the management and performance of their local assessment pathways.
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