NDM7626 Welsh Conservatives debate - NHS Waiting Times

NDM7626 Mark Isherwood (North Wales)

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Notes that 1 in 5 patients are on a waiting list and over 2,000 people have waited longer than two years for treatment.

2. Recognises that over the last five years 5 out of 7 health boards have been in special measures or targeted intervention.

3. Believes the Welsh Government has held back the Welsh NHS.

4. Calls on the Welsh Government to urgently publish a recovery plan for the Welsh NHS which will:

a) clear the backlog in treatment and ensure that no-one has to wait more than one year for treatment;

b) recruit at least 1,200 doctors and 2,000 nurses to reduce waiting times; and

c) transform mental health by treating it with the same urgency as physical health.

The following amendments have been tabled:

Amendment 1. Rebecca Evans (Gower)

Delete all after point 1 and replace with:

Recognises:

a) that despite this challenging time, through additional support, and dedicated NHS staff, four health boards have reduced their escalation status, and we now have one health board in special measures and one in targeted intervention;

b) the impact the pandemic has had on the health service in Wales and across the world;

c) and acknowledges the outstanding contribution of all health and care staff during the pandemic; and

d) the need for a clear recovery plan to include all areas of health services such as mental health, to ensure parity between physical and mental health.

[If amendment 1 is agreed, amendments 2 and 3 will be de-selected]

Amendment 2. Mark Reckless (South Wales East)

Delete all after point 2 and replace with:

Believes that devolution has held back healthcare provision and outcomes in Wales.

Calls for an integrated UK-wide approach to healthcare with one National Health Service.

Co-submitter
Gareth Bennett (South Wales Central)

[If amendment 2 is agreed, amendment 3 will be de-selected]

Amendment 3. Caroline Jones (South Wales West)

Delete all after point 2 and replace with:

Regrets the fact that more than 23,000 UK-domiciled applicants failed to gain nurse training places last year and that, since 2010, more than 54 per cent of UK-domiciled applicants to nursing courses have been rejected.

Believes the Welsh NHS has been held back by both the UK and Welsh Governments due to a complete lack of workforce planning over many decades.

Calls upon the Welsh Government to:

a) work with UK higher education providers to provide more medical training places to UK-domiciled students;

b) work with the royal colleges and professional bodies to assess the true staffing needs of the Welsh NHS;

c) recruit sufficient doctors, nurses and healthcare professionals to address the massive backlogs in treatment waiting times as well as diagnostic waits;

d) ensure that no one will wait more than 12 months for treatment; and

e) transform mental health by ensuring it has equal footing with physical health.

Amendment 4. Siân Gwenllian (Arfon)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Believes transformation of health and care can only be secured through:

a) a new focus on preventative measures; and

b) seamless integration of health and social care through a new integrated national health and care service.