18/02/2014 am.pm

Good afternoon, welcome to the programme and our weekly coverage of

Questions to the First Minister. Well, I hope you've already got into

your armchair position ahead of what's likely to be a highly charged

start to First Minister's Questions. Last week, the Conservative leader,

Andrew RT Davies, sacked four of his group from the front bench. If that

wasn't enough, it emerged over the weekend that there have been

divisions within the group since Mr Davies took over as leader. So you

expect questions from Carwyn Jones today to the Leader of the

Opposition. Other than that, six of the first ten questions today are on

health, with the future of our local councils and the impact of flooding

also demanding answers. But remember, please get in touch with

us if there's anything you want to talk about. You can comment on

anything on this programme or any other political news. You can reach

us via Twitter, we're @walespolitics. Or send us an email

to [email protected]. Well, business in the chamber is already underway,

so let's go over to the Senedd now and take a look at Questions to the

First Minister. TRANSLATION:

Good afternoon, the National Assembly has come to order.

Questions to the First Minister. Question one, Kirsty Williams. Would

he make a statement on ambulance services in Brecon and Radnorshire?

The latest with available response to figures shows category a

performance in Paris was better compared to the same period last

year. -- in Powys. The figures recently released by the Welsh

gamblers trust show ambulances in Powys Art and soaring muster theft

of their cause in the local health board areas, so many of my

constituents are potentially being left without the proper ambulance

cover. When I raised this issue with you last June, you said you would

investigate the matter. What did that reveal? There is no reason to

suggest was a lack of cover. We see that because of the figures I have

just mentioned from December of last year. In terms of responses

including air ambulance responses, we know people in Powys to get to

hospital quickly when they need to, despite the rural nature of the

county. There will be some communities across the borders and

20 batteries where that is necessary, but it does not

necessarily mean there will be a lack of cover elsewhere. First

Minister, the problems in the Ambulance Service are confined --

are not confined to Brecon and Radnorshire. What we have found is

that there are problems across Wales, including in my constituency,

where 13 hospitals... I have cut your microphone off, Darren Miller.

Because we are talking about Brecon and Radnorshire. I do not want

examples of other areas. I am merely making the point the Ambulance

Service is under pressure. As a result largely of the

record-breaking cuts which Europe have made has imposed upon the Welsh

NHS. What action are you taking to remedy that situation, to ensure our

unscheduled care performance can improve, and what lessons can you

learn from looking across the border, where the performance of the

Ambulance Service is a lot better than here in Wales? It is important

that were summary is on the front bench of any party -- somebody... It

gives the shaggy dog is about record-breaking cuts. His own party

has imposed cuts of ?20 billion on the NHS in England. In England, it

is called efficiencies, but it is smoke and mirrors. We know in terms

of the audit office, the reliance should not be placed on the figures

are used for referral to treatment times. We take no lessons from the

party opposite. We know that to them, the NHS is not important.

TRANSLATION: There is no general hospital either

within the boundaries of Brecon and Radnorshire and Powys, therefore,

patients have to be taken to nearby hospitals, and those are currently

under review. By the way down to south Wales. In that context, the

Ambulance Service has admitted that patients will have to spend longer

being transported over greater distances and they have admitted

that this will require more training and enhanced skills for certain

stuff. As the Ambulance Service is already suffering because of levels

of sickness, twice the level of a service such as the police, how will

you ensure that the staff and necessary skills are in place for

these longer journeys in ambulances, which will come about as a result of

the reorganisation of health care? It does not follow that people will

have to travel further in numbers because the air ambulance is

available and it has been true in Powys for a long time. We know it is

entirely natural in Powys, where emergencies in terms of childbirth

take place. Jenny Rathbone. Excuse me. I do beg your pardon, First

Minister. Yes, I was referring to emergencies which are in terms of

childbirth, where mothers are taken to hospitals in England, sometimes

in Wales, by air ambulance. I do think that the paramedics already

have good skills in Wales, but we need to reconsider the skill set and

we expect the Trust to do that. What can the Welsh, do to ensure that

local authorities are future proofing public services to deliver

more with less? The local authority is responsible for ensuring the

sustainability of these services that delivers to individuals,

families and communities. What we support local authorities to do this

through legislation and policy, and funding. A recent report on the

financial challenges facing local authorities indicates that only a

quarter are looking beyond the immediate process. When we know that

this is something that is going to affect, not just the short-term

challenge, so what can we do to promote much more strategic

conversation with local communities, as to what services communities

want, and how we can deliver them sustainably? It is for local

authorities to deliver those services, it is within their

responsibilities, but as the member will know, the view of the

Government is that there needs to be a restructuring of the local

government in Wales. Once that is done, I believe it will be far more

possible for the services to be delivered sustainability in future.

Future proofing of services in Wales requires a change in service to,

breaking down barriers between people who provide services and

those who use them. How would you respond to their call for experts

and links between service providers and citizens and communities,

designing and delivering the services together, and sharing

budgets? It is important that there is collaboration and what it sharing

where that is appropriate. Of course, we would seek to ensure that

where services are made available to members of the public either by

local authorities or other public bodies, they work with the service

recipients in order to ensure the services appropriate for the

individual. TRANSLATION: Thank you very much. Referring to

the report that Jenny Rathbone mentioned, the audit office is

highly critical of the failure of local authorities to tackle these

challenges. But in describing good practice in one council estate where

the council benefits from financial management which is strong and

robust, and has some success in planning effectively for the future

and what would you join with me in congratulating the leadership and

the officials on their vision and success? Of course, I could see that

coming from a long way. But may I praise any local authority that

ensures that they understand the challenges ahead, and Gwinnett and

another -- the number of other authorities. Leanne Wood. Last week

the South Wales programme reviewed that might reveal its proposals for

the withdrawal of critical health services from some of our hospitals.

You have fully supported their plans. You have repeatedly claimed

that medical professionals themselves support centralisation.

Now that the health board has voiced opposition to the proposals for the

Royal Glamorgan Hospital, confirming there is no universal consensus

among medical professionals, will the final decision on the future of

the Royal Glamorgan Hospital be made by the Minister for health? There is

the responsibility to ensure that the health service is sustainable

and safe in the future. It has become clear that the consensus that

you claimed on this matter never did exist. There is not consensus, even

in your own party. The current number of Parliament for the Rhondda

is saying that he is not happy and that assumptions that were made in

reaching the hospital downgrade proposals are a mistake. -- member

of Parliament for stuff I have reason to believe that there are

embers of your own party sitting behind you to share those views. --

members. Will you show some leadership today now, and assure us

that we will not see any more Labour Party banners proclaiming your

party's opposition to the South Wales programme? Will you give us an

undertaking that your party will be straight with people on health from

now on? Well, we have been straight. The question is, your party has not

been, on any number of occasions. The Health Minister will take

decisions with regard to the final structure of certain that Iraq if

certain circumstances are met. If there is not agreement, it will have

to be looked at. What we want, of course, is to ensure that there is a

sustainable health service across the whole of that part of South

Wales in the future. That means looking at every hospital, not just

focusing on the Royal Glamorgan. You will no doubt most attempts at

reconfiguration are now ending with costly judicial reviews. It is

likely that the South Wales proposals will end up in the courts

as well. Your party is split, your plans have been rejected by the

public, senior health managers are in disagreement, as our medics.

First Minister, this situation is a mess. I miss you could end right

now. Instead of wishing your deeply unpopular centralisation plans --

instead of pushing, now is the time to focus on boosting NHS

recruitment, sorting out the Ambulance Service and merging health

and social care, as proposed by Plaid Cymru. The problem she has is

that we are Co greater health service in Wales that will be

attracted -- attractive for people to working for them she wants no

change and she will see a collapse of services in time. All the time,

they claim to say that consultants do not supported, but they do, that

is a fact. You should talk to more consultants, as I do, and you will

understand that they will say, it is important we have hospitals that are

able to offer the right level of training, that there that night and

it is important that doctors find a hospital that is able to offer them

an opportunity to practise. What she wants is a second cup --

second-class health service, start with up who are not properly

trained, or hospitals that are understaffed, because that is more

important than having doctors of the right level of expertise. To give

one example, what was her party's view on the centralisation on

stomach cancer operations? They were against it, and what happened? A 20%

increase in survival. But they would rather keep services local, even if

those services are worse. Rather than sing to the people of Wales,

there are some conditions that have to be centrally is in order that

more people should live. That is the important aspect here. For her

party, it is more important that they play political games, rather

than deliver services that will ensure that more people have a

better outcome. That is secondary to their own considerations. We moved

to the leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, Kirsty Williams. First

Minister, last April, I asked you about the number of ambulances'

waiting hours outside A departments, and you told me you

were seeing what could be done to alleviate the situation. I have

figures that showed in December, there were over 2000 occasions when

it took more than an hour to turn around an ambulance. Are you still

looking for the solution? 85% of people at the last count do get into

hospital within an hour. There will be occasions where people have to

wait longer. But we're not in the situation that has existed in some

hospitals in England where they are serial occasions where ambulances

are waiting. I do not know what your definition of cereal is, but we had

over 2000 incidents in one month alone. That fans like pretty cereal

to me. -- that Sun is. Today we hear the number of amulets service staff

with stress is increased by 60% and serious concerns have been raised

about the frustration in wasting outside hospitals, watching patients

deteriorate. -- waiting outside. Asked May, the Health Minister

acknowledged this problem and said tackling stress for ambulance staff

was his priority. What have you done to reduce the pressure on

hard-working paramedics and Ambulance Service staff? She for the

last month, there are 40 bits and fewer patients waiting for handovers

than there was last year. We have monitored the situation

between March and September last year. There was a vast improvement

in those patients discharged or moved after a rival and A She

talks about people having to bite and she mentions figures in the

thousands, 940,000 people attend emergency departments every year in

Wales. 940,000. The vast majority of those people get good treatment at

the correct thing. Where that does not happen, it is important that we

make improvements. White mac that did not answer my question. What had

you done since last May to reduce the stress on ambulance staff.

Despite what you said earlier and you do not seem to understand that

senior angler 's trust managers -- Ambulance Trust managers in order to

cope with these changes, it means more paramedics will be needed

because services are moving. Will you commit on behalf of your

government today to make sure that the Welsh Ambulance Service has all

the resources that it needs in order to make sure that patients are not

put at risk and are delivered to hospitals and a Thame Market,

following the centralisation of the central government?

She will understand, no doubt, that we are training more paramedics,

because they understand the point that she makes. What she does not

understand or grass is that the vast majority of patients are transferred

and seen within one hour. There will be cases where this is not the case.

We are not happy with the current quotas. But it shows that the vast

majority of people are treated in good time and received good

treatments. We are training more paramedics but let us make sure we

understand that when it comes to the NHS in Wales, the vast majority of

people received a good service. The patient service tells us that.

We now move to the door of the opposition, Andrew RT Davies. -- the

Leader of the Opposition. It is good to hear so much cheering from the

benches opposite. Order, I am interested to know what

the Leader of the Opposition wants to see this afternoon. Andrew RT

Davies. I would like to ask the First

Minister on the reports today on the case of Ian Watkins and the failure

of children's services in that area and those charged to protect young

people against such allegations and the lack of response when concerns

are raised at the early stages. As the First Minister believe that the

services as configurators did all they could to assist in addressing

the concerns that were raised on this particular issue? These

concerns have been raised today. I think it is correct that those

concerns are given the full this consideration.

I am grateful for the First Minister answer on that. If the concerns are

substantiated, and I see no reason that they will not be, will the

Welsh Government be instigating an inquiry into the failure to address

these concerns and actually make sure that they make safeguards

available to ensure that these horrendous crimes are not

perpetrated on other children across Wales, let alone and that specific

area? It is difficult to predict that. The

suggestion is that police are involved and they are not devolved

and we cannot call them to account when it comes to any kind of

inquiry, we have met that problem before been looking at other

situations. What needs to happen and this needs to be looked at carefully

before any consideration is getting to ensure that the public will have

confidence in the system that exists at the moment. Thank you. Due not

think a Serious Case Review would be a way to pull all of these agents

together to look at the allegations regardless of whether this is

devolved or non-devolved? Many outside of this institution will not

be concerned about where that responsibility lies, they just want

to make sure that the safeguards are in place and that action is the

Internet address the real concerns that have been raised today and I do

believe and teacher at your word that you will look at this, but I

believe the Welsh Government has a key role in instigating such a

review and taking the lead on it as the main executive body here in

Wales. As I said to the Leader of the Opposition elder, and I am sure

this is something that the Minister will look at with a view to

determining the best way forward, but where such allegations are used,

it is important that they are given due consideration within that

regard. Will the First Minister make a statement on the provision of

unscheduled care? The focus on winter planning means

that resilience and the system is better than ever. We have seen that

over the course of the past few months. Significant improvements

have been achieved by NHS Wales when compared to the relevant performance

indicators. Thank you. How are the health board discussing things to do

with Withybush Hospital, can you confirm that they are looking at

24/7 services which two the local health board have confirmed that

they wish to see 24/7 emergency cover continue at with the Bush

hospital. Thank you for that, following on

from Rebecca Evans question, Minister, perhaps you would care to

tell us what effect you think will happen to accident and make -- A

as paediatrics is being moved to another hospital and will cover be

available for within the hospital? The gadgets take up 25% of most A

is and that is going through that hospital meaning that with the Bush

hospital will have no option but to have a reconfiguration of hours and

some honesty in this discussion from the health board to the public who

are already very upset by the changes that have gone on and the

Pembrokeshire area would be much appreciated. The Minster promised us

to look at this. I can only see what I said previously and that is that

24/7 emergency care as the wish of our hearty when it comes to this

situation. I read recently that some patients

wander into A departments with complaints about back-ups. Some

patients go to A departments as many as 40 times per year. What at

skin -- what action are taking to reduce these kinds of problems? It

is not necessary for people to attend. A is the only area of the

health service that cannot turn people away. I have spoken at length

to consultants and my own hospital and they have often told me stories

about how people will come to them when there is nothing wrong with

them. They have also visited their GPs for or five times. They say that

their GP has not done anything so they then attend A There is

nothing wrong with them, of course. That is why the Health Minister has

been clear that people should not attend A departments unless it is

essential. People must be able to access GP services at a time that is

convenient to them, that is why we have rolled out access to GPs at

evenings and weekends and I have seen this happening, where GPs are

now available in the evenings, and in those practices, they offer

nurses as part of the practices and the county with a lot of minor

injuries as well to take the pressure off A departments. People

should not attend A unless absolutely essential.

Will the First Minister make a statement on the Young Recruits

Programme? Yes, it has been a great success and demand has been high, we

have exceeded the target for this financial year. I would endorse your

comments, it has been an excellent initiative for job-seekers and small

employers alight. In recent months, however, I have received concerns in

relation to some of the lengthy delays and the payment processes and

in particular to our sole traders and small businesses. And the July

2013 evaluation process, weaknesses were identified as an accurate

information sent to employers regarding funding criteria. Under

resourcing of programme Administration, which was leading

small businesses working with very tight margins and low disposable

revenues and really struggling to participate. First Minister, will

you work with your deputy minister to speed up this process so that our

employers and all our job-seekers who wants to take advantage of this

initiative can do so? Yes, the programme is a very successful one.

We welcome the fact that so many people have benefited from it and

working with the Minister we will continue to ensure that the

programme moves from success to success. We and Plaid Cymru are very

pleased to be a driving force working with your government to

greatly increase the number of apprenticeships. Do you, First

Minister, agree that oversubscription of the Young

Recruits Programme shows that the government needs to take urgent

action to further extend the programme, including increasing the

number of higher-level apprentices? Well, that is something for the next

budget, I suspect. We are very pleased that the programme has been

working very well and we acknowledge the agreement that was made at the

time of the last budget. And, of course, we acknowledge this and them

success of the jobs programme in Wales that has attracted a lot of

people into permanent employment. First Minister, how many of the

young people who do is accessible completely jobs growth Wales

placement transferred directly into the Young Recruits Programme? I do

not have that figure but what I can tell you is that the vast majority

of them to get a permanent job, those that do not often go into

other education or other apprenticeship schemes.

Thank you, will the First Minister make a statement on the services at

Withybush Hospital? It will continue to play a vital role for services to

the people of Pembrokeshire. Two weeks ago I asked you about the

downgrading of services at with a Bridge Hospital following the

decision of your government to close the special care baby unit at the

hospital. And your response you suggested that the Health

Minister's decision was supported by all doctors, however, I have

received copies from correspondence from GPs from Pembrokeshire stating

otherwise. Will you take this opportunity to explain for the

record that the Minister's decision was not supported why all doctors in

that area? Not at all, I have the record here. It says that the

decision was taken on the recommendation of doctors. Those who

were on the panel, of course, and it goes on to say that it was the view

of the doctors that the system must be changed and that is true.

Especially from the point of view of colleges and the doctors and that is

a strong recommendation of doctors on the panel that change must

happen. Nobody sensible argues that there should be two levels of units

in different hospitals. The debate is regarding the location of that

one unit and the members' argument is that it should be in by the Bush

hospital. He knows well that his colleagues sitting next door to him

has made that decision on the grounds of what is best in terms of

securing a safe and sustainable service for the future. It is not

honest or true to say that this has been a decision that is completely

political. It is a decision that has been taken on the grounds of

evidence that has come from doctors on the basis of what the colleges

have said and on the recommendations emanating from a panel that looked

at this and a totally neutrally objective manner. How the Minister

could have come to another decision, I do not know, especially if you

want to keep a safe and sustainable operating unit. In discussing the

emergency care units, the health board quoted a document with the way

ahead from the wild College of emergency health care that said to

have a 24 hour a day emergency unit which would have to be supported by

seven special teams and amongst those as paediatrics. Paediatrics is

already intended to be cut from 24 hours at day to 12 hours a day at

Withybush Hospital. There you truly believe and argue of the opinion

that a 24 hour emergency unit will continue in Withybush Hospital? I

cannot go any further than my earlier answer and that is what the

health board has told us and that is that they want to ensure that there

is a 24 hour service available and the hospital and that is in an

emergency service. What discussions has the First Minister had with the

Minister for Health and Social Services in relations to the

Neurological Conditions Delivery Plan? The Mr has advised me that the

consultation has closed and his intention to publish the final plan

in April. White back -- I am deeper concerned about the lack of

community-based rehab service for brain injured patients in Gwent. I

have several constituents affected eye this alarming lack of revision.

While I am pleased that the health board plan to establish a local

service, detailed plans have been a place for awhile and progress

appears to be painfully slow. I am sure you can understand what a

difference this multi-agency support can make to patients with brain

injuries. Will you look this issue is that when this issue with a view

to urgently ending this serious inequity in provision affecting my

constituents rose-mac clearly, it is unacceptable. I had to stand that

you have corresponded with the executive on this matter and he has

said it is the plan to improve the provision of services. Thank you. I

have to practise throwing my voice from my new position! First

Minister, the Neurological Conditions Delivery Plan was

launched last year to help people with neurological conditions. The

Chief Executive of the NHS in Wales has said it is not going to work

unless local Governor and the voluntary sector all work together

that right local gum and -- local gum and. What are you doing to make

sure these different factors are coming together to proceed this

important plan? I am tempted to say I will text the answer to the

member! What I will afford him greater courtesy and say the plan is

designed to ensure that all the relevant bodies work together in

order to ensure the plan is delivered properly. That is why the

plan is in place. Trans -- First Minister, in some areas, there is no

epilepsy specialist nurse service available and Hywel Dda is one of

those areas. There is funding to bring development for an epilepsy

nurse in the West Wales area. Do you agree with me that for special

conditions such as this, it is important that there is specialist

services are available for people, wherever they may live in Wales?

Well, in terms of how that is practically delivered, we want to

ensure there are adequate numbers of nurses with that specialism

available so that people can access the treatment they need, but we do

have to bear in mind and consider how many are available, to consider

how many will be needed for the future, and the financial situation.

In saying that, no one would argue against a case which states that we

must ensure there are adequate numbers available. Thank you. First

Minister, there was a great deal of celebrating when the national

directive on epilepsy was launched. New guidelines have been issued

since 2012. But there has been no update and there is quite a bit of

criticism about how effective the health boards have been in implement

in the guidelines. Will epilepsy be included within the neurological

plan, or will you as a government ups -- update the epilepsy

guidelines was Mac AI to the Minister that this is a crucially

important question. It is a question that was... As was the question

asked by the member for Ceredigion. Will the First Minister make a

statement on the effects that recent severe weather conditions have had

on communities in Wales? Are responding agencies have worked hard

to reduce the impact of the recent severe weather. I would like to

express sympathy to the communities and the individuals who have

experienced the full force of the recent storms. But nevertheless,

given the difficulty surrounding the weather and the sheer force of the

weather, I believe we managed to deal with it as efficiently as

possible. I appreciate your answer. But those communities in Wales who

have been affected, particularly by the loss of our, to thousands of

homes and businesses, what they want to know is, what support they will

be getting. Can I ask what your government is doing to help secure

that support? What discussions have you had with energy companies about

the potential bill reductions to properties that have been affected

rose-mac has examined the package of business rate reduction for those

businesses that have been significantly affected by the impact

of the weather? Local authorities are able to approach the Welsh

Government in order to receive extra funding with regard to the weather.

Of course, we are in the position that we invested in our flood

defences, whereas we saw a 20% cut in England and we saw what the

result of that was. I am sure the Welsh people appreciate the fact we

have not seen the level of flooding that some in England have had,

despite the weather being exactly the same. At one point on Wednesday

last week, 100,000 homes were without power, that situation was

rectified very quickly and I would like to pay tribute to the power

companies for making sure that people were not left without power

for many days, and for ensuring people were not left in flood water

for many weeks. Thank you. Last week, I visited a farmer in the Vale

of Clwyd, who has cleared thousands of tonnes of fallen trees, branches

and material from the flood plain. You will be aware that there are

limitations on the river and the bridge because of damage that has

been caused by these materials being caught under the bridge, the same is

true on -- of Saint Asaph. I raised the issue of doing more to allow

farmers to tackle some of these problems that cause damage to our

infrastructure. Can he commit other Government will move swiftly as

possible to develop plans to avoid this can damage in the future?

Farmers do have a key role in ensuring that Lloyds do not occur,

and you were talking -- floods, about the fact that discussion took

place with the Minister. I am sure the Minister will ensure that if

there is any more help we can give to farmers, it will be available as

soon as possible. Will he establish a full public enquiry into care

standards at Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Hospital? What I can say

to the member is that a number of steps have been taken to meet the

concerns that have been expressed. An external team is reviewing the

quality and safety of the Princess of Wales Hospital. There is a

quality and safety steering group. The board has announced a series of

concerns -- a series of clinics for patients and relatives to discuss

the issues with members of staff. Nurse staffing levels on medical

wards have increased. New clinical and executive managerial

arrangements are in place at the Princess of Wales Hospital, and of

course, there has been put in place a review into hospitals in the local

health board area. They were announced by the Minister for health

last year. So, a number of actions have been put in place in order to

deal with people's concerns and it is important that what has been put

in place has an opportunity to report back to the Minister and to

identify any problems. Thank you for that answer. But it is still plain

that neither of those families who have recently come forward, nor

those who continue to fight for answers, Dutch as the parents of

Robbie Powell, are happy with the solutions offered saw far stop if

the health service is about caring for patients and ensuring their

families are happy about their care, that is an apparent issue. You said

last week that people are calling for public enquiries at the drop of

a hat and I believe this is insulting to the families who have

lost people. Many of those you have commissioned may become more costly

than a public enquiry. So therefore, do you not believe that the cry from

the parents, the families of patients, is not worthy enough for

you as a government to enact upon the demand and have a full public

enquiry? I said you were calling for a public enquiry at the drop of a

hat. The member mentions the case of Robbie Powell, that is a case that

has been well aired in this chamber. It is a tragic case. He and his

family were treated appallingly. We understand there was an

investigation that took place. A number of events occurred which made

it difficult for Mr Powell and his family. I spoke to the GMC and the

police and the CPS. I initiated the investigation and there was an

apology, rightly so. It is by difficult to know what else can be

done, although Mr Powell quite rightly is angry and upset about the

loss of his son. I understand that. But I have to say, many people who

were at the meeting, I have been dealing with for some years. I have

done the work in terms of dealing with them and listening to their

concerns, in terms of taking those concerns for word. She only became

interested a fortnight ago when she went to the meeting. There are some

members who do hard work and there are some who will jump on a

bandwagon. First Minister, I find myself agreeing with Bethan

Jenkins's request for a full public enquiry into care standards.

Following on from that, I want to reiterate our request for a keyhole

style NHS enquiry in Wales, which would the cup this is effect

concerns of constituents. -- which would pick-up. So we have called for

it. But it will save lives and improve our NHS. Why will you not

agree to it and clear the air once and for all? Sorry, I thought that

was a resignation speech! There is no need for that style of enquiry.

That is a politically driven matter, as he knows. It is a shame that he

and other members did not take an interest in many of the people in

Bridgend who had their concerns aired, and they did not take an

interest before the meeting took place. And so, my concern as

somebody in his constituency the Princess of Wales Hospital is, as

someone who lives in Bridgend, is to make sure that what happened at the

hospital is thoroughly investigated in order to ensure that public

confidence is there in the future. From that, we will not shy away. It

is important that what has been put in place is able to report back, and

then it will be possible for the Government to decide what happens

next. Restoring public confidence will be ordered for many of us who

live in that town, even when other members have moved onto issues.

We will have to leave First Minister's Questions there, but you

can see more coverage of the National Assembly online from ABC

Wales's democracy life page at bbc.co.uk/walespolitics. -- BBC

Wales. That's it for today. The Assembly is in recess next week, so

there's no First Minister's Questions. But if you want more

Welsh politics before then, don't forget Y Sgwrs on S4C at 9:30pm

tomorrow evening. As for today though, from all of us on the

programme, goodbye.