Plaid Cymru Shadow Minister for Transformation of Public Services Delyth Jewell MS has questioned what preparation work is underway by the Welsh Government following Scottish care worker recruitment drive announcement

She has urged the Welsh Government to strengthen its own care workforce as part of preparations for a potential spike in Covid-19 cases.

Ms Jewell noted that the Welsh Government must be “more proactive” in putting in place concrete mechanisms to build resilience ahead of a potential spike in the winter months, and make the public aware of such plans to build public confidence.

Ms Jewell also noted that “more needs to be done” both to ensure that there is capacity for vulnerable people to receive care throughout a potential second spike, and to improve the working conditions of care workers who have proved themselves as “absolutely fundamental” to society.

Delyth Jewell MS said: “If we are to be prepared in the face of a potential second covid spike in the winter months, the Welsh Government must be more proactive in putting in place concrete mechanisms to build resilience and demonstrate transparency by making the public aware of such plans.

“The carer recruitment scheme announcement in Scotland is an excellent example of such a mechanism - similar arrangements here would provide relief for a workforce hit amongst the hardest during the pandemic and would demonstrate the appreciation held for them.

“The Welsh Government needs to meet rhetoric with action by acting in the interest of this workforce which have proven themselves as absolutely fundamental to society.

“Let’s not forget that many care workers are still awaiting their promised bonus payment and of course will receive far less than originally promised – something has to change.

“By strengthening the care workforce the Welsh Government would not only be preparing for what’s to come, but would also give existing care workers an opportunity to utilise annual leave and have some respite after an extremely trying time.

“Working conditions have to be improved for care workers, and this could be a great first step in doing so,” she added.

Meanwhile, Plaid Cymru leader Adam Price has also called on the Welsh Government to explore the possibility of using saliva testing in Wales.

For as little as £1 per sample, Mr. Price has said that saliva testing could be “transformative yet affordable.”

During First Minister Questions, he urged the Welsh Government to look into this latest scientific development, pointing out three main benefits:

1. Simple: A saliva test is less invasive than swab tests,

2. Effective: It has high levels of accuracy, matching swab results 94 per cent of the time,

3. Affordable: A saliva test costs as little as £1 per sample.

Mr Price cited tests being developed by both Yale and Harvard Universities, with the latter developing a home test that would give results within just 15 minutes.

With only 10 per cent of the population having received a test, and well publicised delays in turnaround times, Mr. Price said the saliva test could be an affordable way to test everyone to understand where the virus is in Wales.

He said: “Testing has been a key feature of the response to the coronavirus pandemic worldwide. Ever since the crisis began, the World Health Organization has been unequivocal in its advice that to ‘Test Test Test’ is vital if we are to control the spread of the virus.

“Regrettably, the testing regime here in Wales has been marred by lack of urgency and focus since the start.

“As we face the increasing prospects of a second wave, now is the time to learn lessons so that we respond quicker and smarter to any further outbreaks over the coming months.

“The advantages of a saliva test are threefold: this test is less invasive to the patient and agrees with swab results 94 per cent of the time. It costs as little as £1 per sample, and the results are available within hours.

“This means a simpler, quicker, cheaper means of testing that can and should be carried out on a mass scale.

“Routine testing of everyone in Wales once a week could be transformative yet affordable. I call on the First Minister to commit to exploring this possibility.”