Written Assembly Questions tabled on 15 November 2016 for answer on 22 November 2016
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W - Signifies that the question was tabled in Welsh.
(Self-identifying question no. shown in brackets)
Written Questions must be tabled at least five working days before they are to be answered. In practice, Ministers aim to answer within seven/eight days but are not bound to do so. Answers are published in the language in which they are provided, with a translation into English of responses provided in Welsh.
To ask the First Minister
Steffan Lewis (South Wales East): When does the Welsh Government expect Wales to receive the final EU structural fund payments? (WAQ71495)
Answer received on 18 November 2016
The First Minister (Carwyn Jones): The receipt of final European Structural Funds payments in Wales is subject to the UK Government’s timetable for leaving the European Union (EU) and the terms of any withdrawal agreement.
The UK Government announced on 3 October 2016 an expenditure lifetime guarantee for all European Structural and Investment projects approved before the UK leaves the EU.
To ask the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Well-being and Sport
Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): Will the Minister provide a statement on what actions he is taking to ensure there is an improved annual uptake of the Flu vaccination by all staff working within the care sector in Wales? (WAQ71496)
Answer received on 23 October 2017
The Minister for Social Services and Public Health (Rebecca Evans): Information and resources to support flu vaccination uptake in social care staff, including a "Guide for Care Home Managers and Staff" developed last season, is available on the "Beat Flu" web pages at: http://www.wales.nhs.uk/sitesplus/888/page/74714
In September I met organisations involved in delivering the flu vaccination campaign in 2016-17. The importance of ensuring social care staff are vaccinated against flu to protect their clients was discussed. The Care Council for Wales is also reinforcing the message to social care employers of their duty of care to protect their employees and those being cared for against the effects of flu.
Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): Will the Minister provide a statement on what actions he is taking to ensure there is an improved annual uptake of the Flu vaccination by all hospital staff in our health boards in Wales? (WAQ71497)
Answer received on 24 November 2016
Rebecca Evans: There has been significant progress in recent years to improve flu vaccine uptake in NHS staff (with direct patient contact). Last season saw six health boards/ trusts exceeding the 50% target, and the overall uptake across Wales increased to 47.2%, up from 44.3% in the previous year. This season, one health board has already reported reaching the 50% target. I hosted a Flu Summit in September this year and stressed the importance of this element of the campaign with Health Board representatives. The Chief Medical Officer has also written to senior leaders in NHS asking them to actively promote the benefits of flu vaccination to staff to help protect themselves and their patients. Information and resources to support staff vaccination is available from the “Beat Flu” web pages at http://www.wales.nhs.uk/sitesplus/888/page/75321