By Mark Isherwood

MS for North Wales

Speaking in the Senedd on Storm Babet, I quoted constituents whose Flintshire homes and communities flooded again on 20th October, who want to know why measures weren’t taken to protect residents in at-risk properties.

I stated “The Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 is supposed to make public bodies listed in the Act, including local authorities and Natural Resources Wales, think more about the long-term, work better with people and communities and each other, and look to prevent problems”.

In the Short Debate on ‘Stroke awareness and the FAST/NESA campaign’, I backed the Stroke Association’s call for a biennial Act FAST campaign in Wales to ensure that everyone knows to call 999 at the first sign of stroke symptoms.

Speaking on World Polio Day 2023, 24th October, I called for a Statement from the Health Minister detailing how she will engage with the British Polio Fellowship regarding implementation of the Optimal Clinical Pathway in Wales and the need to reduce variation in care for Polio survivors living in Wales.

I also called for a Statement from the Minister on “how the Welsh Government is ensuring Welsh Health Boards are held accountable for prioritising the implementation of the Rare Diseases Action Plan for Wales” and, with International XLH Awareness Day on 23rd October, highlighted that the care for adults with XLH, a rare, lifelong metabolic bone disease, needs to be improved.

Responding to the Social Justice Minister’s Statement ‘Update on Criminal Justice Blueprints’, I questioned her over issues including Wales having the highest proportion of children in the UK in care, and the Senedd Equality and Social Justice Committee’s findings that young people with speech, language and communication needs in Wales are not being given enough support as they navigate through the Justice System.

I Chaired meetings of the Senedd’s Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee, and Cross-Party Group on Deaf Issues; facilitated and attended a ‘Commonwealth Parliamentarians with Disabilities network’ meeting, focused on Welsh charity ‘SEE Around Britain’– see https://seearoundbritain.com/key-facts ; and met with fuel poverty charity National Energy Action Cymru.

Senedd engagements included People's Postcode Lottery, Solar Energy UK and Senedd Transport event.

North Wales visits included award-winning community interest company ‘Enbarr Foundation’ in Queensferry; ‘ASNEW’, Advocacy Services North-East Wales, a free and independent advocacy service for people in Flintshire and Wrexham; artist Sean Harris at Ruthin Craft Centre to animate a Curlew; a Sport Wales visit to Ruthin and Denbigh Gymnastics Club; and the Broughton Flooding Meeting.

For my help, email mark.isherwood@senedd.wales or call 0300 200 7219.