00:00...to improve equitable access across Wales to stroke services and equitable access to outcomes for people following a stroke.
00:09This is being guided by the expectations set out in our Stroke Quality Statement.
00:14Health Secretary, you'll be aware of proposals from HALVAR Health Board to transfer stroke recovery services from Brongleis Hospital,
00:25which serves large parts of Mid Wales, to hospitals in Tlnethle or Withybush.
00:31And that would mean a four to six hour round trip by car for a family member to visit a loved one recovering from a stroke,
00:41or up to a nine hour round trip if that relative did not have access to a car.
00:47And that's using towns such as Llanedlois or Mahantleth as a marker to travel to Tlnethle or Withybush.
00:56Now, given the proven role of family support in the recovery of those suffering from a stroke and poor transport links as well,
01:07do you find it acceptable that you could reach London from here in Cardiff quicker and with more ease than these family members would be able to visit a loved one?
01:20And are you satisfied with the proposals from HALVAR Health Board in this regard?
01:27Well, they're not proposals.
01:29They're issues that you're being at for consultation.
01:32The member will be aware that no decision has been taken, so there is no proposal at present.
01:39I can't quite hear, Chloeth, because of contributions from the front bench.
01:43Not from the front bench, from the opposition bench.
01:46Sorry, forgive me.
01:47Opposition front bench.
01:48You have been cheered on occasion from that side this afternoon, which must be an unusual feeling for you.
01:55The member is aware that there isn't a proposal in the way that he outlines, and he will also know that there have been matters out for consultation.
02:05So I do think it's important that we describe what's being considered in the right way, because people will, as his question is clear, people will become anxious otherwise.
02:14I think what's also challenging, and I accept the point that he makes about the inconvenience of travel, so I think that is understood, but I know that when he, I'm sure, has spoken to the Stroke Association and others,
02:26there is a clear consensus, both from the Stroke Association, from clinicians, like the Royal College of Physicians, for example, that if one sets as one's priority for stroke,
02:37as I'm sure we all want to do, to make sure that people recover as quickly as possible from their experience of stroke, and that we minimise the incidence of stroke,
02:46the evidence tells us that delivering that on a regional basis is the best way of ensuring outcomes for patients, and that is absolutely what I'm sure is our top priority.
02:56So there is a challenge in balancing the point that the member makes, which is the distances which people may have to travel,
03:03with the fact that the reorganisation, which has clinical support, has Stroke Association support, I mean, the general principle of reorganisation,
03:13that is the best way of ensuring better patient outcomes, and that, at the end of the day, is what we all want to see.
03:21Question, Scythe, Della Jewel.
03:22What discussions has the Welsh Government had, please, with the Aeneir and Bevan University?
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