The next item, therefore, is the business statement and announcement, and I call on the Trefnydd to make that statement. Lesley Griffiths. 

Diolch, Llywydd. There are no changes to this week's business. Draft business for the next three weeks is set out on the business statement and announcement, which can be found amongst the meeting papers available to Members electronically. 

Can I call for an oral or written statement from the Minister for Climate Change on the rules around retrospective planning applications, enforcements and appeals, please? I have an issue within my constituency where a retrospective planning application was applied for four years ago, and despite being rejected on three separate occasions, a further appeal has been lodged, which means a final decision will not be taken until next year. One of the conditions the application has been rejected on can never be overcome. So, a community are left frustrated that building work has continued, and a second and third retrospective application was allowed to be submitted.

What has also caused frustration is that the enforcement notice has also been appealed. Surely, when a planning condition can't be overcome—is physically unable to be overcome—then allowing retrospective submissions a second and third time, and appeals, is a costly, time-consuming exercise on already stretched planing authorities. So, can I ask for a statement accordingly? Diolch, Llywydd.

Thank you. The Minister is currently reviewing the regulations around retrospective planning permissions. I think what you're asking is very, very specific and the Minister is in her place and has heard you. I think it might be best if you write to her directly. 

Good afternoon, Trefnydd. May I ask for two statements, please? The first, a statement from the Minister for Health and Social Services about the recruitment and training of dentists, and what steps are being taken to improve overseas recruitment to the profession. I've met with many practitioners over recent months, and I know we've got a very valuable report from the health committee around dentists. One of the issues is overseas recruitment being the only real short-term response. So, I'd like to understand where that's at, please.

And, secondly, a statement from the Deputy Minister for Climate Change around bus reform legislation and the timetable around that, please. On Friday, I met with residents in Borth, Ceredigion, to hear about their concerns about the deterioration of bus services in their community. We've had a statement on the short-term picture, but the legislation is long overdue, and I'd be grateful, as I'm sure others would as well, for an update from the Minister on the progress of these legislative proposals, and the timescales as well for the legislation. Thank you. Diolch yn fawr iawn.  

Thank you. The Minister for Health and Social Services is very keen to attract overseas graduates and, indeed, international dentists to work here in Wales. Those dentists who have a primary degree from the European Union, or the European Economic Area, are eligible to have full registration with the General Dental Council straight away. That allows them, then, to join the NHS performer list, to work in primary care dental practice. If an individual doesn't have those degrees, if he or she has registration from a non-EU or non-EAA institution, they then have to complete the overseas registration examination. What we're doing is making sure that they are available to those international dentists, and I know the number of places on this summer's sitting of that exam has tripled as part of the recovery of the examination following the COVID pandemic. The Minister's also very keen, as I said, to attract international graduates on the tier 5 visa programme within hospital settings.

In relation to your second question around bus legislation, you'll be aware that the First Minister, every year, brings forward a statement in the Chamber, and, last year, in his legislative statement to the Siambr, he stated that we would bring forward a bus reform Bill in the third year of this Senedd term.

Trefnydd, could I request a statement from the Minister for Health and Social Services, providing us with an update on access to fracture liaison services in Wales? Fractures caused by osteoporosis affect half of women over 50, and a fifth of men. In terms of years lost to premature deaths and disability, fractures are the fourth most devastating health condition of all. Effective therapies exist, but the postcode lottery for fracture liaison services means that thousands of people who need it are missing out on treatment. The result is thousands of preventable spinal and hairline fractures that are life changing for people and costly for the NHS. In February, the Minister issued a written statement, stating that she expected health boards to achieve 100 per cent coverage of FLS by September next year. This week, the Royal Osteoporosis Society will launch a campaign to end the postcode lottery for FLS across the UK. I would be grateful if the Minister could provide the Chamber with an update on the progress being made here in Wales. Thank you very much.

Thank you. I think you outlined very clearly the many harms that come from a fracture—it's not just the fracture itself, but the life-changing issues that can often follow, particularly very complex fractures. I think the Minister for Health and Social Services is very keen to continue working, particularly with our third sector, to be very proactive to try to ensure that people avoid falls in the first place, for instance, so that they're not requiring then the hospital treatment and, as you say, the therapies after. The Minister did make a written statement back in February. There's still quite a significant amount of time—probably about 16 months—before the deadline that she set for the health boards, so I don't think a statement at the moment is necessary. But I'm sure that, if the Minister feels there is something to update Members on, she'll be happy to bring forward a written statement.FootnoteLink

Information further to Plenary

I call for two statements. The first is on the Welsh Government strategy for cystic fibrosis in Wales. I'm sure you'll be aware that this week marks Cystic Fibrosis Week. Cystic fibrosis is a progressive genetic condition that primarily causes the lungs and digestive system to become clogged with mucus, and affects roughly 500 people across Wales. As well as affecting them physically and mentally, it also affects them financially. And according to a recent report conducted by the University of Bristol, the additional cost of living with cystic fibrosis is over £6,500 each year. Despite the current median age of death for someone with cystic fibrosis being tragically young, at just 38, this means that, over their lifetime, they will face roughly £0.25 million of extra costs. I therefore call for a statement from the Welsh Government on its strategy both to speed up the development of new cystic fibrosis treatments, and to address the need for financial support for people living with cystic fibrosis.

I also call for a statement from the health Minister on the care and treatment of polio survivors in Wales. As a patron of the British Polio Fellowship, I sponsored and spoke at last Wednesday evening's event in the Senedd, launching their optimal clinical care pathway for people affected by polio, attended by many polio survivors living in Wales, who emphasised how important the pathway is to them. Thousands contracted the polio virus when they were children, and they continue to suffer with its long-term consequences. The pathway is a recommended patient route through the healthcare system, which will ensure polio survivors receive the right care at the right time, and they need it to be adopted by the NHS, health boards and social care services across Wales. I therefore call for a statement by the health Minister, detailing how she will engage with the British Polio Fellowship regarding implementation of the pathway, and the need to reduce variation in care for polio survivors living in Wales. Diolch.

Thank you. As you say, it's good to see—. I can see you've got your badge on, recognising the Cystic Fibrosis Trust and the work that they undertake. And the Minister for Health and Social Services has made it very clear to health boards her expectations around that, and, obviously, new drugs that do come forward to help with this devastating disease are looked at on a case-by-case basis.

With regard to polio survivors, as you say, there are many polio survivors living in Wales at the current time. I'm not aware of the pathway process, but I will certainly ask the Minister for Health and Social Services to inform Members if there is anything specific being done in relation to that.

Thank you, Trefnydd.