Monthly Archive
Plaid AM calls for dedicated English-language channel for Wales
Wales needs to develop a dedicated English-language television channel to counter the BBC domination of Welsh produced news and programming - that is the call from Plaid AM Dr. Dai Lloyd.
Assembly Members have this week been discussing the ITV reorganisation which will see ITV Wales essentially merge to create a “super region” including the English north west and Midlands.
Dr. Lloyd, who sits on the Assembly’s Communities and Culture Committee stated:
“This latest news that ITV is essentially to merge with the English Regions is another setback to Welsh broadcasting. ITV Wales has been cutting back significantly on its programming and staff numbers for some time and this is resulting in fewer and fewer resources being made available to report on Welsh-based news and issues.
“This is a serious problem for Wales as it means that the BBC is building a domination in this regard. It is essential that we have plurality in terms of reporting news, our democracy, and our way of life. To have just one source of information is not healthy.”
Dr. Lloyd added:
“We already know that 85 percent of the Welsh population read London-based newspapers which make hardly any mention of Wales. Therefore, only some 15 per cent of the population reads newspapers that carry news about Wales and from Wales.
“Therefore, there is already enough of a gap in terms of reporting on Welsh issues to the people of Wales. There is a danger that the majority of people in Wales will fail to be informed with regards to latest developments on a Wales-wide basis, including key areas such as health, education and transport to name a few.
“It is vitally important that we safeguard and develop an English-language service for Wales, from Wales and about Wales
“I am not only talking about news, but about programmes that reflect Wales in its entirety and I believe that the best way to do that would be to create a dedicated English-language channel for Wales, along the same lines as we have S4C.”
Plaid AM criticises Fairwood ‘downgrading’
Qualified nurses are being under utilised due to a change in the Admissions criteria for Fairwood Hospital. That is the warning from Plaid AM Dr. Dai Lloyd.
The admissions criteria for Fairwood hospital is now limited to patients waiting for local authority re-housing, waiting for a residential home or those experiencing Home Care delays.
Dr. Lloyd stated:
“There is no doubt in my mind that Fairwood hospital, in terms of its capacity and its staff, is being under-utilised at the moment.
“Historically, Fairwood Hospital has carried out rehabilitation function, particularly for elderly patients, and the core of its nursing staff are fully trained to carry out that role.
“The staff are qualified, able and willing to carry out this very important rehabilitation role. This change in admissions policy by the Trust is another kick in the teeth for those staff members who have given a hundred percent commitment to the facility.
“I have heard of so many examples from individual patients who have received first class rehabilitation care at Fairwood, and it is vitally important that this service continues in the future.
“The decision to review the admissions policy seems to be a determined effort by the ABM trust to downgrade the centre to nothing more than a holding station for those awaiting re-housing, home care plans or residential home placements.
“This is not an effective use of the skills of the staff or of taxpayers’ money. The rehabilitation element needs to be re-instated and I have written to the Trust outlining my concerns.
“Fairwood Hospital has been subject to great scrutiny over the past few years. It is high time that the Trust management accepted the fact that it is a well thought of facility, and it is the wish of the people of Swansea and its elected representatives to see it continue. They must stop trying to undermine the service and this downgrading need to be reversed.”
Prevent these avoidable deaths - take the lead on presumed consent: Plaid AM
Plaid AM Dr. Dai Lloyd is hopeful that Wales will take the lead and prevent the deaths of hundreds of people on transplant waiting lists by introducing a system of ‘presumed consent’ on organ donation.
Dr. Lloyd, a long-term campaigner for presumed consent, was speaking following the announcement by the One Wales Government that it has asked for advice on the legislative options available in bringing about the change.
In 2008, around 500 people in Wales were waiting for a kidney transplant, with many more waiting for other organs including heart, and liver, with donor rates running at 22% of the population.
Dr. Lloyd stated:
“The recent consultation carried out by the One Wales Government on organ donation showed clearly that the preferred option in the eyes of the Welsh people was a system of soft presumed consent.
“This would mean that on death it would be assumed that an individual’s organs would be available for transplant, however close relatives would be consulted prior to any decision being taken.
“I have long argued for a system of presumed organ donation. We are seeing far too many people die in Wales due to a shortage of organ donors. This simply cannot be allowed to go on. Wales should take the lead in the UK.
“There are successful models of presumed consent in operation in countries such as Spain and Belgium where the number of organ donors are significantly higher than in Wales.
“The number of people needing a transplant in Wales is at an all time high. In the last seven years for example, those listed as waiting for a new kidney has rocketed by 61% from 309 in December 2001 to 490 in July 2008.
“Quite simply, people are dying on these waiting lists. We have the opportunity to change that by simply changing our approach. There is no doubt that a system of presumed consent would produce a far higher potential donor rate than at present, which is far too low.”
Dr. Lloyd added:
“While recent hard-hitting ads such as the ‘Save Sian’ campaign have helped somewhat in increasing organ donor rates, it is not a long-term answer to the problem of lack of donors. We need a sustainable system, and a soft opt-out system of presumed consent is a way forward in this regard.
“Far too many families in Wales are watching a brother, sister, mother or father waiting for a life-saving transplant, when the answer is staring us in the face. We need more organ donors, and presumed consent is proven to work.
“I am pleased that the One Wales Government is pursuing this important agenda and will be tracking developments over the next few months.”
Diwedd/ Ends
Notes:
The One Wales Government arranged a series of debates to gather public opinion on whether Wales should become the first UK country to introduce a system of presumed consent. The meetings were held during October and November 2008.
Plaid AM calls for Morriston bus service clarification
Morriston Bus Services have been ignored as Swansea Council plan to redevelop the Quadrant Station.
The Council has produced a map which outlines the temporary bus stops during the construction phase – meaning that passengers will have to catch their buses in alternative areas, including the Kingsway, Craddock Street and Princess Way.
However, services 4 and 4A, which service Morriston and Morriston Hospital, do not appear on the map.
Plaid Cymru AM Dr. Dai Lloyd has been contacted by confused residents who are demanding an explanation.
Dr. Lloyd stated:
“I have written to Swansea Council to see if they can shed some light on the situation. The 4 and 4A services are popular routes and are an important link between the city centre and Morriston.
“I am aware that the Metro, or bendy bus, is due to begin operating, but until this comes on stream, it is important that passengers know where to catch the current services. The Council has to ensure that passengers are somehow informed, and this could mean re-printing the bus stop maps – money that could have been saved had the job been done properly.”
