Chris Elmore MP raises health visitor industrial action with Welsh Government…

Chris Elmore MP has written to the Welsh Government’s new Cabinet Minister for Health and Care, Mabon ap Gwynfor MS, raising concerns about the ongoing health visitor industrial action affecting families across Bridgend.

The Bridgend and Porthcawl MP has been contacted by constituents concerned about the continued disruption to health visiting services and the impact this is having on families with young children.

In his letter, Chris highlights the significant impact of the industrial action, which has been ongoing since February. He notes that health visitor referrals in Bridgend County Borough were at just 17 per cent of the level recorded at the same point last year.

Chris has stressed that the dispute is complex and that it is important for all sides to work together constructively to find a way forward.

He said:

“Health visitors and other staff deserve dignity and support in the important work they carry out, while families must be able to access the support, treatment and guidance they need.

“Constituents from right across Bridgend have shared their understandable concerns about the continued disruption to this vital service and the ongoing impact it is having on their families and young children.

“I have asked the Cabinet Minister to outline what urgent action the Welsh Government is taking to help resolve the dispute as soon as possible.”

In his letter, Chris also acknowledges that the Welsh Government’s direct involvement in the dispute has so far been comparatively limited and asks the Cabinet Minister to set out what steps the Government is taking to help bring the dispute to a resolution.

Chris added that all parties must ensure that different perspectives are heard while recognising both the needs of families and the important work undertaken by health visitors and other staff.

Chris’s letter to the Cabinet Minister for Health and Care can be read in full below.