(Title Image: via 38 Degrees)
Controversial new Velindre hospital approved
The Welsh Government has given the go-ahead to a new Velindre cancer centre in Cardiff.
The proposed site for the hospital – on a meadow to the north of the existing hospital – attracted protest due to the location and environmental impact. Also, there had been criticism of the plans from clinical staff who believe the hospital should be co-located near acute/intensive care facilities for the sickest patients.
The Health Minister, Vaughan Gething (Lab, Cardiff S. & Penarth), said the sickest patients would continue to be treated at acute major hospitals and the new Velindre centre was more about providing elective/less urgent cancer treatments.
The new hospital is expected to open in 2025.
Final version of new transport strategy sees funding withdrawn for road projects
The Welsh Government published its final version of a new transport strategy Llwybr Newydd.
The overall aim of the strategy is to encourage people to use public transport and/or walk or cycle.
Amongst the major announcements was a £70million programme to increase service frequencies along the Ebbw Vale line and introduce services between Ebbw Vale and Newport – which were originally promised to be reintroduced in 2021.
Elsewhere, the Welsh Government has opted against funding two new road projects in the Vale of Glamorgan, including completion of an upgraded M4-A48 link road and a Dinas Powys bypass. The Conservatives welcomed the first announcement but criticised the second.
Additionally, a combined £80million has been secured from the Welsh and UK governments to develop a rail technology centre of excellence at a former opencast mine near Onllwyn on the Neath Port Talbot-Powys border.
Welsh Government puts forward Welsh Erasmus+ equivalent programme
Education Minister, Kirsty Williams (Lib Dem, Brecon & Radnor), announced a £64million four-year replacement programme for the EU’s Erasmus+ student exchange scheme – which the UK lost access to as a result of Brexit.
The International Learning Exchange Programme is almost identical to Erasmus+ with the exception of athletes. It will cover universities, further education colleges and work-based learners. The UK Government’s Turing programme is much more restricted.
Cardiff University will undertake detailed development of the programme, which is set to begin in 2022. It’s estimated that up to 15,000 students and learners will take part across the four years.
BAME history to be a mandatory element of the curriculum
The histories of people of colour will be included as a mandatory element in the new National Curriculum’s humanities area of learning following the publication of a final report by Prof. Charlotte Williams.
Prof. Williams said: “Education alone cannot address the social, cultural and structural factors that sustain racial inequality. However, education can take us a long way forward in producing the ethical and informed citizens of the future.”
The report made 51 recommendations, including mandatory anti-racism training for teachers, scholarships to support the training of more BAME teachers and diversity champions on school governing bodies.
Elsewhere, a report by the Senedd’s Culture Committee recommended the Welsh Government undertakes more work to ensure new statues and monuments address a lack of diversity.
