Agenda and minutes

This meeting was held in a hybrid format, with some Members in the Senedd Chamber and others joining by video-conference.

The Presiding Officer will call Party Spokespeople to ask questions without notice after Question 2.

View Questions

The item started at 13.30

The first 8 questions were asked. Question 4, 5 and 6 were answered by the Deputy Minister for Climate Change. The Presiding Officer invited party spokespeople to ask questions to the Minister and Deputy Minister for Climate Change after question 2.

The Presiding Officer will call Party Spokespeople to ask questions without notice after Question 2.

View Questions

The item started at 14.25

The first 8 questions were asked. The Presiding Officer invited party spokespeople to ask questions to the Minister after question 2.

To be answered by the Minister for Economy

James Evans (Brecon and Radnorshire): Will the Minister provide a statement on the purchase of Gilestone Farm in Talybont-on-Usk?

 

To be answered by the Minister for Health and Social Services

Llyr Gruffydd (North Wales): Will the Minister make a statement on Healthcare Inspectorate Wales’s (HIW) decision that Ysbyty Glan Clwyd's Emergency Department has been identified as Requiring Significant Improvement?

 

To be answered by the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution

Huw Irranca-Davies (Ogmore): What assessment has the Welsh Government made of the implications for Wales of the recently announced legislation that will change the terms of the Northern Ireland Protocol, given the recent announcement made by the UK Government Foreign Secretary?

The item started at 15.06

Answered by the Minister for Economy

James Evans (Brecon and Radnorshire): Will the Minister provide a statement on the purchase of Gilestone Farm in Talybont-on-Usk?

 

Answered by the Minister for Health and Social Services

Llyr Gruffydd (North Wales): Will the Minister make a statement on Healthcare Inspectorate Wales’s (HIW) decision that Ysbyty Glan Clwyd's Emergency Department has been identified as Requiring Significant Improvement?

 

Answered by the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution

Huw Irranca-Davies (Ogmore): What assessment has the Welsh Government made of the implications for Wales of the recently announced legislation that will change the terms of the Northern Ireland Protocol, given the recent announcement made by the UK Government Foreign Secretary?

The item started at 15.52

Vikki Howells made a statement on – International Museum Day.

Jane Dodds made a statement on - Dementia Action Week.

Tom Giffard made a statement on - Tourism in Wales Week.

NDM8003 Llyr Gruffydd (North Wales)

To propose that the Senedd:

Notes the Climate Change, Environment and Infrastructure Committee report: ‘Report on the Welsh Government’s marine policies’ laid on 22 February 2022.

Note: The response of the Welsh Government to the report was laid in the Table Office on 11 May 2022.

The item started at 15.57

NDM8003 Llyr Gruffydd (North Wales)

To propose that the Senedd:

Notes the Climate Change, Environment and Infrastructure Committee report: ‘Report on the Welsh Government’s marine policies’ laid on 22 February 2022.

Note: The response of the Welsh Government to the report was laid in the Table Office on 11 May 2022.

The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

 

NDM8004 Sian Gwenllian (Arfon)

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Regrets the lack of mention of women’s health – including maternity provision – in the Welsh Government’s existing long-term plan for health and social services, ‘A Healthier Wales’, despite the stated aim of becoming a 'feminist government'.

2. Notes that health conditions which solely affect women and those assigned female at birth, such as endometriosis, menopause, and diseases which disproportionately impact females, including auto-immune and cardiovascular diseases, osteoporosis, and dementia, incur a significant cost burden.

3. Notes that the ONS details that women live fewer years in good health than men and are more likely to be in poverty, requiring both social and financial support.

4. Calls on the Welsh Government to:

a) develop a bespoke Women’s Health Strategy for Wales which should focus on life-long women’s health;

b) provide consistent high-quality services, including specialist tertiary care, accessible to residents the length and breadth of Wales;

c) invest in high quality research into women’s health and treatment;

d) invest in enhanced training for healthcare professionals in Wales on women’s health areas.

Welsh Government: A Healthier Wales: our Plan for Health and Social Care

The following amendment was tabled:

Amendment 1 Lesley Griffiths (Wrexham)

Delete all and replace with:

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Acknowledges that women’s health is not specifically mentioned in the Welsh Government’s existing long-term plan for health and social services, ‘A Healthier Wales’, as this is a high-level strategy setting out the framework and key principles for ensuring person-centred care for everyone in Wales and, as such, does not focus on particular groups or conditions.

2. Notes that health conditions which solely affect women and those assigned female at birth, such as endometriosis, menopause, and diseases which disproportionately impact females, including auto-immune and cardiovascular diseases, osteoporosis, and dementia, incur a significant cost burden.

3. Notes that the ONS details that women live fewer years in good health than men and are more likely to be in poverty, requiring both social and financial support.

4. Notes that the Welsh Government have committed to publish a Quality Statement and NHS plan in the summer with a focus on providing consistent high-quality services across all areas of women’s health.

The item started at 16.40

Voting on the motion and amendments under this item was deferred until Voting Time.

A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:

NDM8004 Sian Gwenllian (Arfon)

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Regrets the lack of mention of women’s health – including maternity provision – in the Welsh Government’s existing long-term plan for health and social services, ‘A Healthier Wales’, despite the stated aim of becoming a 'feminist government'.

2. Notes that health conditions which solely affect women and those assigned female at birth, such as endometriosis, menopause, and diseases which disproportionately impact females, including auto-immune and cardiovascular diseases, osteoporosis, and dementia, incur a significant cost burden.

3. Notes that the ONS details that women live fewer years in good health than men and are more likely to be in poverty, requiring both social and financial support.

4. Calls on the Welsh Government to:

a) develop a bespoke Women’s Health Strategy for Wales which should focus on life-long women’s health;

b) provide consistent high-quality services, including specialist tertiary care, accessible to residents the length and breadth of Wales;

c) invest in high quality research into women’s health and treatment;

d) invest in enhanced training for healthcare professionals in Wales on women’s health areas.

Welsh Government: A Healthier Wales: our Plan for Health and Social Care

For	Abstain	Against	Total
24	0	25	49

As required by Standing Order 6.20 the Deputy Presiding Officer exercised his casting vote by voting against the motion. Therefore, the motion was not agreed.

The following amendments were tabled:

Amendment 1 Lesley Griffiths (Wrexham)

Delete all and replace with:

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Acknowledges that women’s health is not specifically mentioned in the Welsh Government’s existing long-term plan for health and social services, ‘A Healthier Wales’, as this is a high-level strategy setting out the framework and key principles for ensuring person-centred care for everyone in Wales and, as such, does not focus on particular groups or conditions.

2. Notes that health conditions which solely affect women and those assigned female at birth, such as endometriosis, menopause, and diseases which disproportionately impact females, including auto-immune and cardiovascular diseases, osteoporosis, and dementia, incur a significant cost burden.

3. Notes that the ONS details that women live fewer years in good health than men and are more likely to be in poverty, requiring both social and financial support.

4. Notes that the Welsh Government have committed to publish a Quality Statement and NHS plan in the summer with a focus on providing consistent high-quality services across all areas of women’s health.

A vote was taken on amendment 1:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
24	0	25	49

As required by Standing Order 6.20 the Deputy Presiding Officer exercised his casting vote by voting against the amendment. Therefore, the amendment was not agreed.

As the Senedd did not agree the motion without amendment, and did not agree the amendment tabled to the motion, the motion was therefore not agreed.

NDM8005 Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

To propose that Senedd:

1. Notes the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of children and young people.

2. Regrets that child and adolescent mental health waiting times continue to be poor, with less than one in two under 18s receiving a local primary mental health support services assessment within 28 days of referral.

3. Expresses its concern about the number of section 136 detentions of children and young people under the age of 18.

4. Calls on the Welsh Government to:

a) conduct an urgent review into the viability of child and adolescent mental health services;

b) ensure a 24 hour crisis service is available for children and young people across Wales; and

c) consider the feasibility of opening an eating disorders unit in Wales.

The following amendments were tabled:

Amendment 1 Lesley Griffiths (Wrexham)

Delete all and replace with:

To propose that Senedd:

1. Notes the impact of the pandemic on the mental health and emotional wellbeing of children and young people.

2. Recognises the impact of the pandemic on waiting times for CAMHS.

3. Welcomes the Welsh Government's focus on supporting services to improve as they recover and continued work with partners to prevent escalation to crisis and provide an appropriate, multi-agency response.

4. Notes the NHS Delivery Unit’s review of CAMHS services, commissioned by Welsh Government, due to report by the end 2022.

5. Welcomes the continued roll-out of 111, press 2 for mental health for adults and young people across Wales.

6. Notes the current Welsh Health Specialised Services Committee: Mental Health Specialised Service Strategy for Wales consultation with key stakeholders, which includes scoping the feasibility of an Eating Disorder Unit for Wales.

[If amendment 1 is agreed, amendment 2 will be de-selected]

Amendment 2 Sian Gwenllian (Arfon)

Add as new point after point (2) and renumber accordingly:

Notes the planned pilot project to establish community-based facilities, for young people to easily access mental health and wellbeing support, in order to offer early intervention and avoid escalation, and urges the rollout of early intervention facilities to the whole of Wales.

The item started at 17.45

Voting on the motion and amendments under this item was deferred until Voting Time.

A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:

NDM8005 Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

To propose that Senedd:

1. Notes the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of children and young people.

2. Regrets that child and adolescent mental health waiting times continue to be poor, with less than one in two under 18s receiving a local primary mental health support services assessment within 28 days of referral.

3. Expresses its concern about the number of section 136 detentions of children and young people under the age of 18.

4. Calls on the Welsh Government to:

a) conduct an urgent review into the viability of child and adolescent mental health services;

b) ensure a 24 hour crisis service is available for children and young people across Wales; and

c) consider the feasibility of opening an eating disorders unit in Wales.

For	Abstain	Against	Total
24	0	25	49

As required by Standing Order 6.20 the Deputy Presiding Officer exercised his casting vote by voting against the motion. Therefore, the motion was not agreed.

The following amendments were tabled:

Amendment 1 Lesley Griffiths (Wrexham)

Delete all and replace with:

To propose that Senedd:

1. Notes the impact of the pandemic on the mental health and emotional wellbeing of children and young people.

2. Recognises the impact of the pandemic on waiting times for CAMHS.

3. Welcomes the Welsh Government's focus on supporting services to improve as they recover and continued work with partners to prevent escalation to crisis and provide an appropriate, multi-agency response.

4. Notes the NHS Delivery Unit’s review of CAMHS services, commissioned by Welsh Government, due to report by the end 2022.

5. Welcomes the continued roll-out of 111, press 2 for mental health for adults and young people across Wales.

6. Notes the current Welsh Health Specialised Services Committee: Mental Health Specialised Service Strategy for Wales consultation with key stakeholders, which includes scoping the feasibility of an Eating Disorder Unit for Wales.

A vote was taken on amendment 1:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
24	0	25	49

As required by Standing Order 6.20 the Deputy Presiding Officer exercised his casting vote by voting against the amendment. Therefore, the amendment was not agreed.

Amendment 2 Sian Gwenllian (Arfon)

Add as new point after point (2) and renumber accordingly:

Notes the planned pilot project to establish community-based facilities, for young people to easily access mental health and wellbeing support, in order to offer early intervention and avoid escalation, and urges the rollout of early intervention facilities to the whole of Wales.

A vote was taken on amendment 2:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
48	0	0	48

Amendment 2 was agreed.

A vote was taken on the motion as amended:

NDM8005 Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

To propose that Senedd:

1. Notes the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of children and young people.

2. Regrets that child and adolescent mental health waiting times continue to be poor, with less than one in two under 18s receiving a local primary mental health support services assessment within 28 days of referral.

3. Notes the planned pilot project to establish community-based facilities, for young people to easily access mental health and wellbeing support, in order to offer early intervention and avoid escalation, and urges the rollout of early intervention facilities to the whole of Wales.

4. Expresses its concern about the number of section 136 detentions of children and young people under the age of 18.

5. Calls on the Welsh Government to:

a) conduct an urgent review into the viability of child and adolescent mental health services;

b) ensure a 24 hour crisis service is available for children and young people across Wales; and

c) consider the feasibility of opening an eating disorders unit in Wales.

For	Abstain	Against	Total
25	0	23	48

The motion as amended was agreed.

In accordance with Standing Order 12.18, at 18.40 proceedings were suspended to allow a technical break before Voting Time.

 

The item started 18.43

 

NDM8002 Gareth Davies (Vale of Clwyd)

Improving access to healthcare

The item started at 18.49

NDM8002 Gareth Davies (Vale of Clwyd)

Improving access to healthcare