Janet Finch-Saunders, Member of the Welsh Parliament for Aberconwy and Welsh Conservative Older People’s Champion, has called for Mark Drakeford MS, First Minister, to resign in light of his failure to deliver an effective vaccination rollout.
The request forms part of an urgent letter the Member has sent to the First Minister, following the news that Covid-19 vaccines are being rolled out to people aged 70 years and over from today in England, and the First Minister’s comments today that Wales will not use all its available Pfizer vaccine to vaccinate people as quickly as possible.
Commenting on the vaccination crisis, Janet stated:
“Last week the situation in North Wales looked bad enough with our health board falling to the bottom of the league table of vaccine supplies delivered by population.
“Today the situation has become even worse. Whilst England is starting on reaching out to the over 70’s category, the First Minister is slamming the breaks on the distribution of Pfizer in Wales.
“Countless vulnerable over 80s in Aberconwy have not been offered a jab, GP practices are not receiving deliveries, and Venue Cymru had only been operating three days a week.
“The First Minister’s sluggishness amounts to state-induced self-sabotage that could cost residents their lives.
“It is clear that an elderly person would receive the vaccine sooner should they be living in England. Such a postcode lottery for health services in our United Kingdom is unacceptable and highlights that devolution under Welsh Labour is failing the NHS.
“The First Minister is failing the health service and to safeguard the people of Wales. He should seriously consider his position”.
ENDS
Document:
- Letter from Janet Finch-Saunders MS to the First Minister