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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Winter pledge to support vulnerable people by Welsh government | Winter pledge to support vulnerable people by Welsh government |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| Vulnerable people and essential services will be protected this winter, the Welsh government has pledged. | Vulnerable people and essential services will be protected this winter, the Welsh government has pledged. |
| Local Government Minister Lesley Griffiths also urged people to be "good neighbours" when temperatures drop. | Local Government Minister Lesley Griffiths also urged people to be "good neighbours" when temperatures drop. |
| It comes as assembly members prepare to debate how hospitals aim to cope with winter pressures. | It comes as assembly members prepare to debate how hospitals aim to cope with winter pressures. |
| Health Minister Mark Drakeford has said that health boards are better placed this year to deal with any surge in demand after last year's problems. | Health Minister Mark Drakeford has said that health boards are better placed this year to deal with any surge in demand after last year's problems. |
| Hospitals cancelled hundreds of operations due to increased numbers of people turning up at A&E departments, especially elderly patients. | Hospitals cancelled hundreds of operations due to increased numbers of people turning up at A&E departments, especially elderly patients. |
| Mr Drakeford has said detailed plans have been developed to put the NHS on a stronger footing to cope this winter, although he admitted that difficult days lie ahead. | Mr Drakeford has said detailed plans have been developed to put the NHS on a stronger footing to cope this winter, although he admitted that difficult days lie ahead. |
| But opposition parties want him to publish each health board's winter plan. | But opposition parties want him to publish each health board's winter plan. |
| Hywel Dda health board serving mid and west Wales was recently criticised for suggesting non-urgent orthopaedic operations could be halted for several months in order to prioritise urgent care. | Hywel Dda health board serving mid and west Wales was recently criticised for suggesting non-urgent orthopaedic operations could be halted for several months in order to prioritise urgent care. |
| Ms Griffiths told AMs in the Senedd on Tuesday that the Welsh government had a number of schemes in place to help those who would be most at risk from the cold weather. | |
| Among the projects designed to help people this winter are: | Among the projects designed to help people this winter are: |
| "Whilst weather prediction is not an exact science, earlier warning allows us to be better equipped and organised," said Ms Griffiths. | "Whilst weather prediction is not an exact science, earlier warning allows us to be better equipped and organised," said Ms Griffiths. |
| "Our priorities are to support the most vulnerable, and safeguard our economy and infrastructure. | "Our priorities are to support the most vulnerable, and safeguard our economy and infrastructure. |
| "Everyone needs to be good neighbours at all times. Communities can do a lot to help themselves. It is important people come together to help each other. It is a message we need to keep pressing." | "Everyone needs to be good neighbours at all times. Communities can do a lot to help themselves. It is important people come together to help each other. It is a message we need to keep pressing." |