What steps is the Welsh Government taking to address social worker shortages in a) specialist adult cystic fibrosis centres, and b) specialist paediatric cystic fibrosis centres in Wales?
The Welsh Health Specialised Services Committee (WHSSC) is responsible for commissioning cystic fibrosis (CF) care in Wales. During 2018/19, they made significant investment in the All-Wales Adult Cystic Fibrosis Centre, based in Cardiff intended primarily to support the recruitment of additional Multi-disciplinary team (MDT) staff to meet the standards of care for CF patients which included an additional social/youth worker. Further investment may be required if numbers grow significantly and this will be kept under review.
Social worker provision in paediatric services is being considered more broadly within the Specialised Paediatric Services Strategy that is currently in development.