LG: Will the Minister make a statement on neonatal services in North Wales?

Janet Finch-Saunders: Minister, I welcome the announcement on establishing a sub-regional neonatal intensive care centre in north Wales, but I do wonder how you will base your criteria as to the exact location of where that will be. How transparent will the process be? I think that it is fair to say that the previous reviews and business development cases that we have seen come forward as regards anything to do with Betsi over the past few years have been less than transparent. How can you assure me today, as the Member for Aberconwy, that this will be carefully considered? I would like to know what the criteria will be, and that they will be transparent.

Mark Drakeford: I thank the Member for her general support of the way forward outlined by the First Minister last week. He outlined the steps that will now be taken to develop the business case that I mentioned earlier, and to reach decisions on the best location for the new centre. I do not think there is any doubt that the process that the First Minister has followed has been one that has been highly open and transparent, with a panel meeting Assembly Members and other members of the clinical community across north Wales, and he will expect that to continue.