'The Russian invasion of Ukraine is deeply troubling'

MS for North Wales

I attended the Wales Virtual Rare Disease Day 2022 reception hosted by my colleague Russell George, MS for Montgomeryshire, joining Genetic Alliance UK, Rare Disease UK, people affected by rare conditions and a wide range of others with an interest in the area including clinicians, health professionals, patient organisation representatives, researchers and industry.

Rare Disease Day is an annual international event raising awareness of the needs of people living with rare conditions. There are over 6,000 rare diseases affecting 175,000 people across Wales. Collectively, rare diseases are not rare.

During a helpful catch-up call with Professor Maria Hinfelaar, Vice Chancellor of Wrexham Glyndŵr University, our discussion included an update on their ‘Campus 2025’ programme and developing plans for a ‘Health, Education, Innovation Quarter’, where all training for Nursing, Paramedic Services, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Speech and Language Therapy, and Dietetics will be located.

It was encouraging to hear both that applications were up because of the new courses being offered and that over 600 international students are on campus this year, mainly Business, Engineering and Computing, and all on postgraduate Masters Programmes.

As Chair of the Cross-Party Group on Funerals and Bereavement in the Welsh Parliament, I had an online meeting with the Group’s Secretary to catch up on issues including working with the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Funerals and Bereavement in the UK Parliament to shape the planned campaign on the re-use of graves, which also relates to Wales, and the upcoming regulation of Pre-Paid Funeral Plans by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Other engagements included an online meeting with heritage campaign group ‘The Friends of Kinmel Hall’, who are dedicated to seeing the Grade I listed building near Abergele saved.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine is deeply troubling. An unprovoked attack on a sovereign nation cannot be tolerated. Whilst Wales cannot act directly, it is vital that democratic institutions across the world show support for partners in Ukraine.

As Welsh Conservative Leader Andrew RT Davies MS stated: “The world must be resolute in standing behind the Ukrainian Government and preserve its place as a free and democratic country. The democratic alliance must provide all the support required to achieve that goal and assist the refugees that all wars inevitably create.

“Putin must be left in no doubt at all that the democracies of the world will not stand by and let his aggressive actions go unchecked. If we do, it might be Ukraine today, but someone else tomorrow.”

If you need my help, email Mark.Isherwood@senedd.wales or call 0300 200 7219.