2. What assessment has the Welsh Government made of the impact the new system for emergency response will have on stroke care? OQ62467

One of the reasons for the change in our performance framework is that the existing approach is encouraging a use of resources that doesn't work equitably. The changes to be delivered by the Welsh Ambulance Services University NHS Trust are intended to improve experience and outcomes for all service users, including those with stroke symptoms.

Thank you, Cabinet Secretary. We already know that stroke patients are at a disadvantage in getting emergency treatment. The research shows that patients wait on average an hour and a half between the first onset of symptoms and dialling 999. After an ambulance is requested, it can take many hours for an emergency response to arrive. While every stroke is different, recovery depends on early intervention. Without early care, the likelihood of lifelong disabilities increases. Not only does this have a huge impact on the individual and their families, but it also means that the NHS has to provide long-term support. From a purely financial point of view, it makes sense to provide early intervention, to say nothing of the moral and ethical imperatives. Cabinet Secretary, what consideration have you given to the creation of specialist stroke first responders in order to provide care while waiting for an ambulance?

Thank you, Altaf Hussain, for that question. As he may recall from the discussion we had in the Chamber last week, under the current arrangements around 34 per cent of those people in the red calls who have breathing difficulties end up not being transported to hospital, whereas we know people in stroke absolutely do need specialist care in the way that he was alluding. So, that is actually very much at the heart of the changes that have been introduced. The group of clinicians and system leaders who helped formulate that new approach as part of the review took evidence both from the national clinical lead for stroke and the Stroke Association, to help shape the context for their discussions. He will maybe recall that, in my statement last week on the changes that are coming in in July for the red category, I said that I've asked for a rapid review of the amber category as well, over the course of the next two months, so before the new clinical model comes into place, so that the conclusions of that review, which will affect stroke patients and those suffering from suspected stroke, can be taken into account in advance of the new clinical model, which is due to come into place later this year.