Health

Opposition leaders renew calls for independent Wales Covid inquiry

Published

4 months ago

November 25, 2025

SENEDD opposition leaders have ramped up calls for a Wales-specific Covid inquiry, warning a major UK-wide report failed to fully scrutinise decisions made in Cardiff Bay.

The Conservatives and Plaid Cymru argued a dedicated Welsh inquiry remains necessary to deliver justice for thousands of families who lost loved ones during the pandemic.

Darren Millar, leader of the Tory opposition, said the case for an independent Wales-specific inquiry has not gone away despite last week’s UK Covid-19 Inquiry module-two report.

The inquiry, chaired by Baroness Hallett, warned the Welsh Government’s initial pandemic response was inadequate and overly reliant on Westminster.

Mr Millar told the Senedd: “The focus of the inquiry is very much on the UK Government and, in my view, there needs to be more focus on many of the decisions which were taken here.”

Mr Millar stressed: “We must make sure that we learn lessons in the Welsh context and that’s why I still firmly believe – along with the Covid bereaved families and many others – that we need that independent Welsh Covid inquiry to take place.”

He accused ministers of refusing to engage with a Senedd committee set up to look at gaps in the UK inquiry which collapsed due to a row about witnesses swearing oaths. Mr Millar suggested the Welsh Government wants to “dictate” the terms of any inquiry.

He said: “The Welsh Government absolutely needs to be held to account for the different decisions that it took at different times during the course of the pandemic – some of which, regrettably, led to a greater loss of life.

“That’s what Baroness Hallett said herself in terms of some of those late decisions that were taken in respect of the second lockdown after those unsuccessful local lockdowns.”

First Minister Eluned Morgan stressed the Welsh Government is committed to learning every lesson from the pandemic to ensure Wales is better prepared for future public health threats.

She said the judge-led UK inquiry has extensively investigated decisions made in Wales while recognising the inter-relationship between governments of the UK.

“This was the most comprehensive review possible,” she stressed, pointing out that it is the inquiry’s second module with a further eight to come.

Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth told the chamber: “It is clear again from this report that lessons weren’t learned as we progressed and we have to understand why.”

He said multiple opportunities to forge a more proactive pandemic response were missed, leading to what the inquiry described as an “inexplicable lack of urgency”.

But he stressed: “As comprehensive as this report may be in some ways, it cannot – as has been readily recognised by Baroness Hallett herself – provide a full assessment of how decisions made in Wales affected the impact of the pandemic.”

He added: “That is why we continue to believe we need a further, Wales-specific study to allow us to countenance the terrible legacy of the pandemic with the openness, the honesty and thoroughness that the people of Wales deserve.”

Mr ap Iorwerth accused the Welsh Government of “stubbornly and unjustifiably” digging its heels in on basic standards of accountability.

During today’s (November 25) statement, Baroness Morgan told Senedd Members that ministers have engaged “positively and openly” with the UK inquiry throughout.

She said 14 Welsh Government witnesses gave oral evidence in early 2024, with more than 70 witness statements submitted and thousands of documents disclosed to the inquiry.

She told the Senedd: “I welcome the report and thank Baroness Hallett and her team for their work in producing it. Its publication represents a further important step towards understanding and learning lessons from the Welsh Government’s pandemic response.”

She said the report is 800 pages across two volumes and will take time to digest, so the Welsh Government is not yet able to provide a detailed response to recommendations. She committed to providing a response before the five-year Senedd term ends in 2026.

Baroness Morgan pointed to strengths identified that the Welsh cabinet was “fully engaged” and an “effective decision-making structure” during the pandemic.

“We were faced with unenviable decisions during the pandemic,” said the First Minister.

“We were making decisions at speed often with only emerging information about the virus and how it was spreading. We were working within a UK context but were determined to make decisions in the best interests of people and businesses in Wales.

“We recognise that there are areas where we have lessons to learn and I thank the inquiry for providing us with this report that will help us to do just that.”

Health

Plaid Cymru to hold public meeting over Withybush hospital surgery cuts

Published

18 hours ago

March 16, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Candidates say residents must be heard after emergency services decision

PLAID CYMRU candidates for the Ceredigion Penfro constituency will host a public meeting in Pembrokeshire to discuss concerns over the future of services at Withybush Hospital.

The event will take place at 6:30pm on Monday (Mar 31) at Letterston Village Hall, giving residents the opportunity to share their experiences and concerns following Hywel Dda University Health Board’s decision last month to remove emergency general surgery from the hospital.

Campaigners say the move will force many patients requiring urgent treatment to travel further for care, raising fears about the potential impact on patient safety in rural west Wales.

Elin Jones, Plaid Cymru lead candidate for Ceredigion Penfro, said: “Withybush is such an important hospital for the community and residents of Pembrokeshire. The decision to remove its emergency general surgery will severely weaken the life-saving capacity of this hospital.

“Plaid Cymru has long championed small rural hospitals such as Bronglais and Withybush. We need to ensure these hospitals remain strong local services within our communities. Withybush should have the basic life-saving and everyday treatment services it needs to function as a full general hospital.”

Kerry Ferguson, Plaid Cymru candidate for Pembrokeshire within the Ceredigion Penfro constituency, said the recent success of a public petition had demonstrated the strength of local feeling.

“It’s great to see that the online petition calling for Welsh Government intervention to restore emergency surgery and essential services at Withybush has reached its target, meaning it will now be debated in the Senedd,” she said.

“We are extremely disappointed by the Health Board’s decision to remove emergency general surgery at Withybush. Increased journey times for anyone in need of urgent medical treatment will put lives at risk. We need government intervention now to overturn this decision.”

Residents across Pembrokeshire have continued to raise concerns about the future of services at the hospital, which has long been a focal point in debates about healthcare provision in rural west Wales.

Health

Politicians seek legal advice over hospital decisions as petition passes 11,000 signatures

Published

23 hours ago

March 16, 2026

Tom Sinclair

PEMBROKESHIRE’S two Members of the Senedd have written jointly to the Welsh Government’s Counsel General seeking legal advice on possible ways to challenge decisions made by Hywel Dda University Health Board affecting healthcare services in the county.

Paul Davies MS and Samuel Kurtz MS have asked the Counsel General, Julie James MS, to outline what legal mechanisms may exist to scrutinise or challenge the health board’s decision-making process, particularly in relation to changes impacting services at Withybush Hospital.

Their move comes amid growing concern from residents, clinicians and community groups about the impact of service changes on patient safety and access to care, especially in a rural county where travel times to alternative hospitals can be significant.

Public concern has also been reflected in a petition calling for intervention over the future of services at Withybush Hospital. The petition has now attracted more than 11,000 signatures and continues to gain support.

Having passed the required threshold, the petition can now be considered for debate in Senedd Cymru.

The two MSs say the level of public backing highlights the strength of feeling locally and the need for greater scrutiny of decisions being taken about healthcare provision.

Paul Davies MS said: “Residents across Pembrokeshire are deeply concerned about the cumulative impact that changes to healthcare services could have on patient safety and access to care in a rural area. The fact that more than 11,000 people have signed the petition highlights just how strongly people feel about this issue.”

Samuel Kurtz MS added: “People deserve confidence that decisions affecting vital healthcare services have been taken properly and with full consideration of the impact on local communities. We have therefore written to the Counsel General to seek advice on what legal avenues may exist to challenge these decisions and what powers the Welsh Government has to intervene where serious concerns have been raised.”

The MSs have also asked the Welsh Government to clarify what role it can play in reviewing or intervening where there are significant concerns about the governance and decision-making processes of a health board.

Health

Welsh Ambulance Service to host bi-monthly Board meeting

Published

4 days ago

March 13, 2026

Tom Sinclair

THE WELSH AMBULANCE SERVICE is preparing to host its bi-monthly Board meeting – and the public are invited.

Join the meeting on Thursday 26 March via Microsoft Teams to hear senior leaders cover a full agenda, including approval of the Integrated Medium-Term Plan for 2026-29, which outlines what the organisation will prioritise and deliver, how it will use its resources and how it will continue to improve care for the people of Wales over the next three years.

Board members will approve the initial revenue budget for the year ahead and receive an update on current financial performance.

The Board will also hear from Mr Clarke from Cwmbran, who describes an experience of trying to access help via 999 for his late father who was terminally ill.

There will also be an opportunity to pose a question to the Board.

Chair Colin Dennis said: “Board meetings give you the opportunity to really get to know our ambulance service, with a clear view of how important decisions are shaped and the processes behind them.

“They also create a forum to hear directly about ongoing work, explore how we can strengthen support for the Trust’s staff and patients, and connect with the people responsible for shaping those decisions.”

Click here to watch the Board meeting on Thursday 26 March 2026 from 9.30am.

This link will be active from 10 minutes before the meeting starts.

To pre-submit a question, please email [email protected] by no later than Wednesday 25 March 2026.An agenda will be available on the Trust’s website in the days prior to the meeting.