There were a number of exchanges relating to the new President-Elect of the US this afternoon ( as you might expect) but the staple topic of health dominated discussion overall.
FMQs, 15th November 2016
Party Leaders
Plaid Cymru leader, Leanne Wood AM (Plaid, Rhondda) asked a number of questions on disabled rights and access to services. Did the First Minister agree that cuts to disability benefits and disability assessments have gone too far? How the assessments are carried out is a major root cause of hardship; did he agree that GPs should carry them out instead? Leanne also raised the issue of GP fees; a constituent applied for a disability grant to enter education but GPs demanded £95 to complete the relevant forms, without which the grant can't be claimed. Is the Welsh NHS putting financial barriers in the way of disabled people improving their lives?
The First Minister believed it was “no question” that benefit changes have targeted the most vulnerable and that GPs were well-qualified to make the assessments (this has been instantly rebutted by the BMA due to workload pressures). He was worried that the hoops people have to go through to access benefits they're entitled to puts them off claiming in the first place. With regard GP fee's it's a difficulty with the independent contractor model where such fees are acceptable and there are other delivery models to consider.
Conservative leader, Andrew Davies AM (Con, South Wales Central) welcomed a recent £50million boost to the NHS to deal with winter pressures. He focused on GPs too, saying 40% of people have problems getting a same-day appointment, and asked how much of the £50million will go to primary care to improve the availability of services? He also asked for a commitment that GP numbers will be higher at the end of the Assembly term than they are at present.
The First Minister said GPs organise themselves in different ways; some will have appointment slots free on the day, some demand patients make an appointment a few days in advance. The money itself is to deal with pressures resulting from cold weather, such as respiratory diseases (which result in longer hospital stays). It's not just about GPs, but all services the NHS offers, including those which would enable people to be treated at home or away from hospital – like social services, occupational therapists and community nurses.
UKIP leader, Neil Hamilton (UKIP, Mid & West Wales) said that whatever we might think about the incoming US President, Wales exports £3billion worth of goods to the US every year – our single biggest national export destination. It's vitally important the Welsh Government get on with the new administration and encourage them to invest and trade; protectionist forces in the EU want to put up trade barriers like tariffs. What can the Welsh Government do to encourage US trade? “Perhaps UKIP can assist in the process?”
Carwyn said it was right to say the US is a major market for Wales, but the EU is twice as big. Current measures to boost trade and investment with the US won't change, but any UK-US trade agreement will put America first. He was surprised there was talk about tariffs, when David Davis and Liam Fox have been talking about them as if they don't matter.
On UKIP “helping” due to the close relationship between Nigel Farage and Donald Trump, the First Minister/Archbishop of Banterbury was more scathing and - in the real highlight of the afternoon - said the only thing Farage has ever run is away; he has no experience of diplomacy and it would be the equivalent of “giving a child a chainsaw”.😮
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Backbenchers
Although it's worth pointing out that he said this before his party leader, Gareth Bennett AM (UKIP, South Wales Central) asked what discussions had taken place on welcoming Donald Trump to Wales? He understood it's a question for the future, but in terms of trade everyone will have to acknowledge the future President is in favour of trade deal with UK which could lead to better opportunities for Wales.
The First Minister (half-joking) confirmed that with regard a Donald Trump visit there were “none as yet”. He remains to be convinced on trade as Trump was elected on the basis of putting America first, so free trade agreements are unlikely to be high on his agenda. Real leaders “build bridges not walls”, and humanity doesn't prosper when countries cut each other off; the new President will have a task to unite his own country.
The message he wants to send to the US is that Wales remains open for business, and two questions the government gets from American businesses are whether there will still be access to the single market and whether there will be major regulatory changes between the UK and EU.
Mohammad Asghar AM (Con, South Wales East) said that of the more than 60,000 people who've attended drug and alcohol treatment between January and March this year, only 13% have successfully completed it. What plans are there to review the effectiveness of drug and alcohol treatment services and monitor the effectiveness of public health strategies?
The Welsh Government are committed to using a range of evaluation mechanisms for public health and the substance misuse strategy. However, drug rehabilitation is a “long road” and many don't kick habits straight away.
The First Minister praised the work of GPs in successfully pushing flu vaccinations over the last few years, which are available without charge to vulnerable groups. He also welcomed a recent judgement that the Scottish Government will be able to introduce a minimum per-unit price for alcohol, however he was wary that the UK Government could shift legislative controls on the matter away from Wales.
Best of the rest:
- On supporting people with COPD, the Welsh Government's approach is outlined in its national delivery plan. There's recognition that there are areas where access to exercise referral programmes is difficult, and they are creating an all-Wales data set to properly understand uptake. There's been an 11.1% reduction in emergency admissions to hospital for respiratory diseases - to Vikki Howells AM (Lab, Cynon Valley).
- The Welsh Government are reviewing their scope for attracting major business events – including a possible bid for the World Expo in 2027-28. Any decision would need to take into account the cost (which could be £1billion+) and returns on investment, as well as the possible location – to Adam Price AM (Plaid, Carms. E & Dinefwr).
- There's still a long way to close the gender pay gap, and it remains a priority, with actions focusing on addressing underlying issues that cause gender pay gaps. The Welsh Government continue to support Chwarae Teg, including projects on gender equality and breaking gender stereotypes – to Julie Morgan AM (Lab, Cardiff North).
- The Welsh Government will continue to work with Aneurin Bevan health board on access and transport requirements for the new Specialist Critical Care Centre at Cwmbran. It's not unusual for patients to use hospitals based outside their health board - like those in Caerphilly basin who use Heath Hospital. However, the South Wales Metro should to make it easier for people to travel and could/should include a stop at the new hospital - to Hefin David AM (Lab, Caerphilly).
Still a good two weeks behind. Amidst yet more empire-building discussion about extra AMs, a possible expansion of the Assembly offices and a Youth Parliament, the basics fall yet again by the wayside. 😒
Statement of Opinion of the Week
There are two I want to pick up on.
The only new one this week is Joyce Watson AM's (Lab, Mid & West Wales) call to support White Ribbon Day (25th November, so she's a little early) to take a stand against violence against women, never condone it or stay silent about it. At time of posting there were no signatories, but I'd expect that to change.
The second one dates from last week, and is Jenny Rathbone AM's (Lab, Cardiff Central) call – which got 20 signatures - to support Cardiff & Vale College student, Bashir Naderi, in his fight against deportation to Afghanistan. He's spent half his life in Wales after fleeing here following his father's murder, subsequently gaining 9 GCSEs. The deportation order has been stayed and is going to Judicial Review, with supporters wearing blue ribbons.
AMs are sometimes weighed down by more ribbons, pins and badges than a Soviet general. Does it make a difference? I don't know.
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