Safa Elhassan

Open this sitting on the stage

1. 6. Members' Legislative Debate under Standing Order 11.21(iv): An NHS first Bill en

   I, too, declare an interest as a consultant ophthalmologist working in the NHS in Swansea. Expensive contracts, fragmented care, lost opportunities to strengthen our NHS: these are the concerns that I recognise not just as a Member of the Senedd, but also a treating clinician. I thank my colleague Gwyn for bringing forth this proposal, which I support. We all want shorter waiting lists. We all want patients to be treated sooner. And we all recognise the extraordinary work that NHS staff are doing to make that happen. But the question is not simply how many patients we can treat today, but whether we can build the capacity to treat patients tomorrow.  Let me explain what I have witnessed. Patients that have had cataract pre-assessment by an external provider, that arrangement ends, the patient returns to the NHS, sometimes requiring another assessment before surgery proceeds. That's another appointment, another cost, and another delay. And when complications occur, patients rightly return to the NHS teams, adding to the workload of a service already under pressure. Colleagues in other specialties have reported similar frustrations. Deputy Llywydd, this is not about criticising individual providers. It's about questioning whether our system is making the best use of public money and clinical expertise, because waiting lists can appear shorter without the NHS becoming stronger. So, that's at the heart of this debate. In Swansea bay, our performance report identifies gaps in cataract pre-assessment capacity and opportunities to improve theatre utilisations. We have the clinicians, we have the expertise, and what we need is the capacity to deliver. And that means investing in assessment clinics, our theatres, our workforce, and the clinical leadership needed to redesign services. That means asking our front-line teams what they can achieve with the right support. And it means ensuring that our clinical leads are involved in decisions about external contracts, patient safety and continuity of care. And we also must be transparent about costs, outcomes and who remains responsible for patients when contracts end. Deputy Llywydd, I'm not arguing that external provision should never have a role. I'm arguing that temporary solutions must not be a substitute for permanent NHS capacity. Every pound that we spend should do more than reduce today's waiting list. Where possible, it should strengthen tomorrow's service. We're treating patients today, we're training the clinicians for tomorrow, and we're building our NHS for the future. And this principle is why I believe that this proposal should be advanced, and that's why I support it. Diolch.

   Read in full See it in the chamber Senedd TV Read this in the Record

Open this sitting on the stage

1. 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport cy

   8. Pa gamau mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn eu cymryd i wella mynediad at weithgareddau diwylliannol, chwaraeon a hamdden yng Ngŵyr Abertawe? OQ64707

   Official English translation

   8. What action is the Welsh Government taking to improve access to cultural, sporting and recreational activities in Gŵyr Abertawe? OQ64707

   Read in full No broadcast timestamp published, so this contribution cannot be placed on the stage. Senedd TV Read this in the Record

2. 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport en

   Diolch, Minister. On a recent visit to Sketty Youth Club, alongside the Cabinet Secretary for Education and the Welsh Language, I saw first-hand how a welcoming community centre can bring children, parents and grandparents together through outdoor activities. Groups such as Sketty Tea Lounge 50-plus club also show how important it is to create opportunities for older people to stay active, connected and engaged. In Swansea bay, the HARBWR project provides another excellent example, using creative and cultural activities to support people experiencing loneliness and poor mental health. As a clinician, I know that prevention starts long before someone reaches a hospital or a GP surgery. How will the culture and sports strategy help bring community organisations and health services together, so that more people across Gŵyr Abertawe can benefit from affordable cultural and recreational activities to improve well-being and help prevent ill health?

   Read in full See it in the chamber Senedd TV Read this in the Record

3. 4. 90-second Statements en

   Diolch. October is Black History Month. Remember the struggle, recognise the contribution and celebrate the achievement. This Black History Month, we honour those who have helped build Wales, yet whose stories remain untold. I thank Race Council Cymru, Race Equality First, Ethnic Youth Support Team, Show Racism the Red Card, Black Lives Matter and Black History Cymru 365 campaigners, whose theme this year is 'Proud to be me'. I honour the Windrush generation too. I particularly recognise Professor Uzo Iwobi, founder of Race Council Cymru; Momena Ali, founder of EYST; and Shirley Au-Yeung of the Chinese in Wales Association. Their work in Swansea and beyond has opened doors for others. To the black workers in the NHS, schools, public services, factories and the voluntary and third sectors, thank you. To the taxi drivers, takeaway owners, and corner shop keepers, thank you. Your contribution to our economy and communities is beyond measure. I am proud of the 'Anti-racist Wales Action Plan'. Its ambition must live in action and not simply words. I remember the late Mohammad Asghar, our first ethnic minority Assembly Member, elected for Plaid Cymru, and his service to this institution. And Betty Campbell, Wales's first black headteacher, who helped children dream beyond the barriers before them. Black history is Welsh history. Black achievement is Welsh achievement. And with pride in our past, let us build change that will last. Diolch.

   Read in full See it in the chamber Senedd TV Read this in the Record

Open this sitting on the stage

1. 1. Questions to the First Minister cy

   5. Pa gamau mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn eu cymryd i wella mynediad at wasanaethau cyhoeddus hanfodol yng nghanol trefi a dinasoedd ledled Cymru? OQ64706

   Official English translation

   5. What action is the Welsh Government taking to improve access to essential public services in town and city centres across Wales? OQ64706

   Read in full No broadcast timestamp published, so this contribution cannot be placed on the stage. Senedd TV Read this in the Record

2. 1. Questions to the First Minister en

   Diolch, First Minister. Strong cities and towns depend not only on attracting investment but also on ensuring that people can continue to access essential services they rely on every day. In Swansea, the city centre post office in the Quadrant is due to close in February 2027. While a replacement is being explored, no new location or opening date has been confirmed, and the alternative branches do not provide the same range of services. For older residents, disabled people and many small businesses, that would represent a significant loss. First Minister, your Government has rightly committed to supporting thriving high streets and regenerating our towns and city centres. How will the Welsh Government work with partners to safeguard access to essential services, including a full-service post office, as part of a wider regeneration plan for Swansea city centre and communities across Wales?

   Read in full See it in the chamber Senedd TV Read this in the Record

Open this sitting on the stage

1. 2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution cy

   3. Pa asesiad y mae'r Gweinidog Cabinet wedi'i wneud o'r modd y gall ystadegau gefnogi o ran gwneud penderfyniadau mwy effeithiol gan y llywodraeth a'r sector cyhoeddus ledled Cymru? OQ64626

   Official English translation

   3. What assessment has the Cabinet Minister made of how statistics can support more effective government and public sector decision making across Wales? OQ64626

   Read in full No broadcast timestamp published, so this contribution cannot be placed on the stage. Senedd TV Read this in the Record

2. 2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution en

   Diolch, Cabinet Minister. Evidence-based decision making is central to delivering effective public service and ensuring the best use of public money. In healthcare, for example, we know that additional capacity can sometimes be needed to reduce waiting times. Audit Wales has highlighted that insourcing and outsourcing can help reduce long waits, but that it can also place additional pressure on NHS finances down the line, whilst opportunities remain to improve productivity within NHS services. So, Cabinet Minister, how is the Welsh Government ensuring that decisions on improving and delivering effective public services are not just informed by immediate cost savings or short-term deliveries, but also on sustainability, long-term outcomes and capacity building?

   Read in full See it in the chamber Senedd TV Read this in the Record

Open this sitting on the stage

1. 2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability cy

   3. Pa gamau mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn eu cymryd i sicrhau bod ffynonellau dŵr daear, y gallai datblygiadau mawr effeithio arnynt, yn cael eu diogelu a'u monitro'n briodol? OQ64604

   Official English translation

   3. What action is the Welsh Government taking to ensure that groundwater sources that could be affected by major developments are appropriately protected and monitored? OQ64604

   Read in full No broadcast timestamp published, so this contribution cannot be placed on the stage. Senedd TV Read this in the Record

2. 2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability en

   Diolch. Access to clean and safe groundwater is essential for protecting public health, supporting agriculture and safeguarding our natural environment. As major developments come forward across Wales, it is vital that local communities can feel confident that groundwater sources are being properly monitored and protected. Can you outline how the Welsh Government is working with Natural Resources Wales and the local planning authorities to ensure that groundwater resources are robustly monitored, protected and transparently assessed before major developments are approved?

   Read in full See it in the chamber Senedd TV Read this in the Record

3. 4. 90-second Statements en

   As Childhood Cancer Awareness Month draws to a close, I want to recognise children and families who are living with, and whose lives have been turned upside down by, a cancer diagnosis. In Gŵyr Abertawe, Latch is supporting 15 children affected by cancer and their families. As a clinician, I recognise the importance of treatment and care, and as a mother, I think of parents sitting by the hospital bed, holding their child's hand, trying to offer reassurance while carrying fears of their own. Behind every diagnosis is a child missing friends and school, and a family learning to live with uncertainty. I thank Latch for their emotional, practical and financial support, and for helping families stay close when they need each other most. I pay tribute to the NHS teams, volunteers and fundraisers who bring care and comfort through difficult times. We remember too the children who've died and their families, who carry their love and their loss every day. To every family facing childhood cancer, you deserve to be heard, understood and supported. September may be ending, but our support must continue throughout the year. Diolch.

   Read in full See it in the chamber Senedd TV Read this in the Record

Open this sitting on the stage

1. 5. 90-second Statements en

   It's Migraine Awareness Week, and I want to recognise people across Wales living with a condition that is too often dismissed. Migraines affect one in seven people in the UK. It's a neurological condition that can cause severe pain, sickness and sensitivity to light and sound. Its impact reaches far beyond an attack. It affects work, family life and mental well-being.  The Migraine Trust's latest survey found that nine in 10 respondents had felt disbelief about the severity or the impact of their migraine. Nearly a third had experienced this from their colleagues or their managers. More than three quarters say that the disbelief has damaged their mental health. Nobody should have to fight to be believed while already struggling with pain. The trust's 'Believe me' campaign carries a simple message to us all: listen, take migraine seriously and offer practical support. To people living with migraine in Gŵyr Abertawe, and across Wales: your experience matters. Pain does not have to be visible to deserve understanding, and a little patience and compassion can make a difference. Diolch.

   Read in full See it in the chamber Senedd TV Read this in the Record

Open this sitting on the stage

1. 2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning cy

   6. Pa gynnydd mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi'i wneud tuag at sefydlu rhaglen ôl-osod niwtral o ran deiliadaeth? OQ64397

   Official English translation

   6. What progress has the Welsh Government made towards establishing a tenure-neutral retrofitting programme? OQ64397

   Read in full No broadcast timestamp published, so this contribution cannot be placed on the stage. Senedd TV Read this in the Record

2. 2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning en

   I warmly welcome the Welsh Government's commitment to a national home retrofitting programme. Good housing is good health. Better-insulated homes will not only reduce energy bills and carbon emissions, they also improve people's health and reduce pressure on the NHS. Public Health Wales estimates that tackling excess cold in Welsh homes alone can save the NHS more than £40 million a year. Living in cold, damp and mouldy homes also increases the risk of respiratory illnesses, particularly in children and older people. So, Cabinet Minister, can you outline how the Welsh Government's retrofitting programme will prioritise tackling damp, mould and excess cold in homes so that it improves public health, reduces pressure on the NHS and lowers energy bills for families across Wales?

   Read in full See it in the chamber Senedd TV Read this in the Record

Open this sitting on the stage

1. 6. Statement by the Deputy Minister for Public and Preventative Health: Priorities for Public and Preventative Health en

   Diabetic eye screening is a vital preventative service. In England, OCT, or optical coherence tomography, has been introduced in diabetic eye screening, with an estimated 120,000 hospital eye appointments a year saved, while improving diagnostic accuracy. In Wales, patients are often referred from diabetic eye screening into the hospital eye service, and then, in some cases, into the Wales general ophthalmic service pathway back to the screening service. For patients, that means additional travel, time away from work and caring responsibility. For the NHS, it means administrative appointments and costs. Much of this would be potentially avoided earlier if there is earlier access to simple non-invasive OCT scans during the screening. So, will the Cabinet Secretary work with Diabetic Eye Screening Wales to develop a pathway of introducing OCTs into Diabetic Eye Screening Wales to improve efficiency, reduce unnecessary referrals and help improve avoidable sight loss?

   Read in full See it in the chamber Senedd TV Read this in the Record

Open this sitting on the stage

1. 6. Member Debate under Standing Order 11.21(iv): Ophthalmology services en

   I, too, begin by declaring my interest as a practising consultant ophthalmologist. My remarks today are both informed by my professional experience and my role as a Member of the Senedd. Throughout my career, I've had to tell patients that their sight can't be restored, and these are amongst the hardest conversations any clinician has to have. That is why preventing avoidable sight loss matters so much, and I'm pleased to second this motion. As a consultant ophthalmologist and a Member of this Senedd, I believe that everyone in Wales deserves timely, high-quality eye care, regardless of where they live. When we talk about ophthalmology, we're not simply talking about eyesight; we're talking about independence, dignity and quality of life. We're talking about a person's ability to work, drive, read and to remain active within their community. Whether it's a child that's struggling to see the whiteboard at school or a grandparent that wants to recognise the face of their grandchild, timely eye care makes a difference between living independently and losing that independence. That's why this debate matters. My message is simple. Ophthalmology in Wales is under immense pressure and those pressures will continue to grow as our population ages. Ophthalmology is the busiest out-patient specialty in NHS Wales, with 66,000 people waiting for treatment. Too many people are still presenting with advanced disease that could have been treated earlier. If Members want any evidence on the scale of the challenge, they only need to look at the Welsh Government's eye care measures. The target is for 95 per cent of high-risk patients to be seen within a clinically determined time frame. The all-Wales figure is 49.7 per cent and no health board is meeting that target. Too many patients whose sight is at risk are not being seen in a timely manner. A major reason for this is workforce capacity. Simply, Wales does not have enough ophthalmologists. The Royal College of Ophthalmologists recommends three consultants per 100,000 people. Wales has 1.97. That's the lowest ratio in the UK. Retention is also challenging, with many resident doctors leaving Wales to complete their training in England. We should have an all-Wales recruitment pathway that will help retain more doctors in NHS Wales. Recruitment alone won't solve this problem. We have a very highly skilled team of optometrists, orthoptists and nurses, and we need to provide local opportunities to develop and upskill this workforce. Meeting this challenge requires reform. This is why I support the proposals set out in this motion, particularly the focus on dedicated surgical and diagnostic hubs. By concentrating expertise, we can improve efficiency, increase capacity and deliver better outcomes for our patients. These hubs can help reduce the reliance on outsourcing to the private sector, allowing us to invest in Welsh services, Welsh staff and Welsh hubs. Patients don't really care which health board provides their treatment; they just want to receive safe, timely, high-quality care. Alongside that, we need better workforce planning, stronger digital infrastructure and a long-term strategy to match these growing demands. This debate is far more than waiting lists; it's about protecting people's sight, protecting their independence, protecting their confidence and protecting their quality of life. Both as a clinician and as a Member of the Senedd, I know that the expertise exists in Wales. Our responsibility now is to ensure that the system enables those professionals to deliver the care patients deserve. The motion provides a practical road map to achieving this. We have the expertise, we have the evidence and we know what works. Now we must match the evidence with action. Because in ophthalmology, every referral matters, every appointment matters, every member of the clinical team matters, and, most importantly, every patient matters. I'm pleased to second this motion and I urge Members across this Siambr to support it. Diolch yn fawr.

   Read in full See it in the chamber Senedd TV Read this in the Record

Open this sitting on the stage

1. 1. Questions to the First Minister cy

   6. Pa gamau y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn eu cymryd i fynd i'r afael â'r prinder yn y gweithlu gwasanaethau canser ledled Cymru? OQ64338

   Official English translation

   6. What action is the Welsh Government taking to address workforce shortages in cancer services across Wales? OQ64338

   Read in full No broadcast timestamp published, so this contribution cannot be placed on the stage. Senedd TV Read this in the Record

2. 1. Questions to the First Minister en

   Diolch, First Minister. I welcome the Welsh Government's £145 million investment in reducing NHS waiting lists. The Royal College of Radiologists's workforce census published last month found that NHS Wales is short of 88 clinical radiologists and 13 clinical oncologists, with this shortage projected to more than double in 2030. A lead oncologist in Gŵyr Abertawe told me that the shortages are preventing talented resident doctors from taking up permanent posts, highlighting the need for a stronger all-Wales approach to workforce planning. First Minister, how will the Welsh Government ensure that this investment strengthens the specialist cancer workforce so that talented staff can remain in Wales, waiting times are reduced and patient care and outcomes improve?

   Read in full See it in the chamber Senedd TV Read this in the Record

3. 6. Statement by the Deputy Minister for Social Care, Mental Health and Women's Health: Priorities for social care, mental health and women's health en

   Diolch. I welcome the statement today and the importance of women's health hubs. They're an essential part of the 10-year women's health plan. Despite this, a lot of women are telling us that the experience on the ground is not matching the ambition that we see on paper. In some areas, what presents as a women's health hub appears to be a website, a signposting service, or simply an existing clinic that's been rebranded. Given this inconsistency, I would be grateful if the Deputy Minister could provide an update on efforts to standardise the hubs. With almost 50,000 women still waiting for gynaecological treatment across Wales, how will the Deputy Minister ensure that these hubs deliver genuine additional capacity, extra staff, resources and a specialist service rather than rebadging the service that's already existing?

   Read in full See it in the chamber Senedd TV Read this in the Record

Open this sitting on the stage

1. 2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Health and Care cy

   5. Pa gynnydd y mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi'i wneud i sefydlu rhaglen iechyd digidol 10 mlynedd i wella cofnodion electronig am gleifion ledled Cymru? OQ64180

   Official English translation

   5. What progress has the Welsh Government made to establish a 10-year digital health programme to improve electronic patient records across Wales? OQ64180

   Read in full No broadcast timestamp published, so this contribution cannot be placed on the stage. Senedd TV Read this in the Record

2. 2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Health and Care en

   Diolch, Cabinet Minister. As an ophthalmologist, I've experienced first-hand, alongside my patients, the barriers and delays associated with the ability of Digital Health and Care Wales to develop major programmes. The implementation of the OpenEyes programme, for example, took several years under the previous Labour Government, which is unacceptable. Wales is now at risk of falling further behind in digital health infrastructure, particularly as other nations are moving ahead, with Ireland rolling out a national electronic patient record system, while ours remain fragmented, such as OPERAi, or paper based. This inefficiency is placing unnecessary strain on doctors and nurses, at a time when we should be using digital systems to improve productivity and patient care, especially given the scale advantage of a smaller nation. What assurance can you give, Cabinet Secretary, to NHS staff and patients that this programme will deliver efficiency and at pace, and will result in the genuinely integrated and well-co-ordinated care that is urgently needed?

   Read in full See it in the chamber Senedd TV Read this in the Record

3. 3. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning cy

   8. Pa gynnydd y mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi'i wneud tuag at adolygu'r fformiwla ariannu ar gyfer llywodraeth leol? OQ64179

   Official English translation

   8. What progress has the Welsh Government made towards reviewing the funding formula for local government?  OQ64179

   Read in full No broadcast timestamp published, so this contribution cannot be placed on the stage. Senedd TV Read this in the Record

4. 3. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning en

   Diolch, Cabinet Minister. We're all aware of the extremely difficult situation facing local authorities across Wales. The budget from the previous Welsh Government would have meant that there would be a 22 per cent council tax increase or 14,000 job losses. I'm proud of Plaid Cymru's intervention, boosting local government funding by £113 million, increasing the council budget by 4.5 per cent, with no councils receiving less than 4.1 per cent, saving thousands of jobs. It is evident, however, that councils need more certainty and more sustainable footing. Will the Cabinet Minister make a statement on the Government's plans for supporting councils to deliver crucial services?

   Read in full See it in the chamber Senedd TV Read this in the Record

Open this sitting on the stage

1. 3. Statement by the Cabinet Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning: Priorities for Local Government, Housing and Planning en

   Wales has some of the oldest housing stock in Europe, leaving many residents in fuel poverty and facing serious health risk from cold and damp. The UK Government's £15 billion Warm Homes programme will benefit England, but creates challenges in Wales. By 2030 all privately rented houses or homes must reach energy performance certificate band C—harder to achieve, given that about 60 per cent currently fall below the standard, alongside a reduced £10,000 annual landlord cap. However, all Welsh retrofitting programmes focus solely on social homes.  Given these disproportional impacts, what steps is the Cabinet Minister taking to secure full consequential funding from the UK Government to develop a Welsh 10-year neutral Warm Homes programme, to ensure all residents can access warmer and safer homes?

   Read in full See it in the chamber Senedd TV Read this in the Record