NDM8452 Welsh Conservatives Debate - Healthcare inspection and funding

NDM8452 Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Notes the Healthcare Inspectorate Wales Annual Report 2022-2023.

2. Regrets that the report:

a) highlighted risks relating to emergency care, staffing concerns, poor patient flow and the accessibility of appointments;

b) states that there are often delays in patient discharges due to shortages in social care staff and social workers to assess discharge needs; and

c) did not find evidence of Welsh Government initiatives making a clear and significant difference to services at the front line.

3. Calls on the Welsh Government to:

a) scrap cuts made to Healthcare Inspectorate Wales in the 2024-2025 draft budget, and expand their remit to investigate complaints;

b) establish a timetable with Healthcare Inspectorate Wales for the inspection of the nearly 60 per cent of healthcare services that have not been inspected in the last 5 years;

c) ensure the full Barnett consequential 20 per cent uplift for health is spent on the Welsh NHS; and

d) bring forward a substantial workforce plan with a tuition fee refund for healthcare workers that stay in Wales for five years after their studies.

Healthcare Inspectorate Wales Annual Report 2022-2023

The following amendments were tabled:

Amendment 1 Lesley Griffiths (Wrexham)

Delete all after sub-point 2b) and replace with:

Appreciates the important work of HIW and notes the challenges identified.

Recognises the challenging financial position across the Welsh Government which continues to prioritise frontline care and staffing requirements in our NHS.

Notes the Welsh Government continues to work with healthcare providers using inspections to learn and improve.

If amendment 1 is agreed, amendments 2 and 3 will be deselected.

Amendment 2 Mabon ap Gwynfor (Dwyfor Meirionnydd)

In point 3, delete sub-point c), and replace with:

formally request from the UK Government a comprehensive review of the Barnett Formula to ensure fair funding for all budget areas in Wales, including health and social care;

Amendment 3 Mabon ap Gwynfor (Dwyfor Meirionnydd)

Add as new sub-point at the end of point 3:

increase the availability of degree apprenticeships in the healthcare sector to provide greater opportunities for young people to enter the profession and remain in Wales to work.