Hannah Blythyn
Welsh Labour · Wales
“Cabinet Secretary and Deputy First Minister, this is something that we’ve discussed many times in this Siambr, and it’s something that we know there’s significant support for in the community, for a DRS scheme.”
“Cabinet Secretary, I'm sure you'll understand that vascular services in north Wales being in the news again creates concern for my constituents.”
“Last month, when I raised women's health, I referenced my own family's experience of ovarian cancer. What I didn't mention then is the length time it took to diagnose, from first suspected gallstones to fibroids, then potentially bowel cancer, when finally, after diagnosis, it resulted in two surgeons having to be involved with bowel repa…”
“Because women really need to be listened to and their concerns not minimised when it comes to knowing our own bodies and that something isn't quite right.”
“Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, we're all too aware that years of austerity have had a devastating impact on public services, and we've spoken before in this place that it's going to take more than last month's budget to finally turn that around.”
“So, felly , Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, can I ask, in the context of the current climate, what consideration has and could be given to any shorter term funding solutions, whether that's around revenue and capital, or what scope is there to do things, do anything, differently—one of the things that's been suggested to me is around looking at r…”
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“9. A wnaiff yr Ysgrifennydd Cabinet roi'r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf am fynediad at wasanaethau meddyg teulu yn Nelyn? OQ61935”
“Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. Fel Cadeirydd y Pwyllgor Safonau Ymddygiad, dwi'n gwneud y cynnig yn ffurfiol i benodi comisiynydd safonau dros dro.”
“Cabinet Secretary, I'm sure you'll understand that vascular services in north Wales being in the news again creates concern for my constituents. We've already heard in here that it's hit the headlines before, but since then Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board’s vascular services, generally, were de-escalated in 2023 by Healthcare Inspectorate Wales after progress was shown, albeit they recognised improvements still needed to be made. So, Cabinet Secretary, given the latest news, how do you consider that BCUHB are acting on the recommendations of Healthcare Inspectorate Wales in their de-escalation review? And what further assurances can be sought from the health board on vascular services so that my constituents and others can be reassured?”
“I think, Cabinet Secretary, whatever we decide to do in Wales, we need a system that supports and enables where we are, and that works for Wales.”
“Cabinet Secretary and Deputy First Minister, this is something that we’ve discussed many times in this Siambr, and it’s something that we know there’s significant support for in the community, for a DRS scheme. But you acknowledge that we come at this from a different starting point, given where we are with our success at kerbside recycling here in Wales, and the behaviour and culture change that have come with it. I know when we first looked at a DRS in Wales, an on-the-go option was one of the ones that it was decided not to proceed with, in part because of taking that four-nations approach. Now that we are going our own way, could that be reconsidered as a way to both better complement our kerbside collections, but also reduce litter and encourage recycling and reuse?”
“Because women really need to be listened to and their concerns not minimised when it comes to knowing our own bodies and that something isn't quite right. When things are considered, what can the plan change in terms of approaching things in a different way, for example actually checking for the most serious possibility first rather than the other way around, which often happens now?”
“Last month, when I raised women's health, I referenced my own family's experience of ovarian cancer. What I didn't mention then is the length time it took to diagnose, from first suspected gallstones to fibroids, then potentially bowel cancer, when finally, after diagnosis, it resulted in two surgeons having to be involved with bowel repair and major gynae surgery. That was 15 years ago, but, sadly, women are still struggling through the system. So, I do really welcome the women's health plan and look forward to publication next month. First Minister, I do recognise your absolute commitment on this topic, but women can't keep waiting, and it can't keep happening. So, I just want to ask, alongside the publication of the plan, what more can be done practically in the here and now.”
“So, felly , Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, can I ask, in the context of the current climate, what consideration has and could be given to any shorter term funding solutions, whether that's around revenue and capital, or what scope is there to do things, do anything, differently—one of the things that's been suggested to me is around looking at reserves—but a way in which we can perhaps bridge that gap to, hopefully, a brighter financial future?”
“Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, we're all too aware that years of austerity have had a devastating impact on public services, and we've spoken before in this place that it's going to take more than last month's budget to finally turn that around. But we know too, as we've heard already this afternoon, that our local authorities face an immediate catalogue of challenges, and challenges that are felt most acutely in my corner of the country, whether that's in social care, the impact of legislation, or those bread-and-butter issues such as road repairs.”
“Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. Fel Cadeirydd y Pwyllgor Safonau Ymddygiad, rwy'n cynnig y cynnig yn ffurfiol. Trafododd y pwyllgor adroddiad gan y comisiynydd safonau am gŵyn yn erbyn Andrew R.T. Davies AS yn ymwneud â neges drydar y nodwyd ei bod yn gamarweiniol ac yn beryglus.”
“I'd just like to thank the Member for his contribution and once again reiterate the invitation to the Senedd to endorse the committee's recommendation. Diolch.”
“So, as well as the WRU's own review, what further action will the Welsh Government take? Will you review the Government's relationship with the WRU, and that there needs to be greater transparency and accountability? I would also urge the same caution here as I've done previously regarding your offer to meet the players. They must not be put in a position where speaking out potentially risks not just their professional career but their mental health too, and they must be protected. Any cosy establishment consensus must end. We can't hold people to account if we're sharing information or a hospitality box with them, and, this time, there has to be tangible and meaningful cultural change. We owe it not just to the women of the international team but to all young girls wanting to play rugby in Wales.”
“And subsequently, at a hastily arranged WRU press conference on Friday, it was reported that the WRU apologised profusely and was sorry for not treating their women players as employees and for any stress and hurt caused, but denied claims of sexism. Minister, the definition of sexism is prejudice, stereotyping or discrimination, typically against women, on the basis of sex. I think it's clear to many that what the national team has experienced is the very definition of sexism. Do you agree with me that this is what the women's team have experienced? And whilst I'm sure the apology was appreciated by the team, we've been here before, and words aren't enough. An apology is not, and cannot be, the end of it. It's not about individuals; it's institutional.”
“Thank you for that update, and I obviously very much welcome that you promptly met with representatives of the WRU, following the most recent allegations. And I'm sure we were all shocked and saddened to see these allegations when they appeared in The Telegraph last week, and I want to pay tribute to the journalist Fiona Thomas who broke the story, and of course to the women who had the courage to come forward. For me, the most appalling revelation relates to how the players were threatened with disciplinary action, and the potential of the team being withdrawn from the world cup, if they did not conform to the WRU's will and sign their new contracts. Can anyone in the Siambr imagine the men's team being subjected to such treatment?”
“Can I add to the statement that's already been requested and ask for a further statement on, more broadly, what tools we have in Wales to not just talk but act to stamp out inappropriate and unacceptable workplace behaviours, and how too, potentially, the Welsh Government will be taking into account and acting on the new legal duty on employers to take reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment of their workforce through the new Worker Protection (Amendment of Equality Act 2010) Act 2023?”
“We've, sadly, lost count of the amount of times in this place that we've talked about our dismay and disgust at bullying, sexism or sexual harassment in the workplace, whether that's high-profile cases in the public sector, such as the fire and rescue service and the police, and, as Heledd Fychan has just referred to, in the last past few days we've once again seen the WRU making the headlines for allegations of sexism and bullying.”