‘Hospitals are filling up and you’re worried about a pint’ – doctor blasts Tory health spokesperson

An intensive care consultant at a Welsh hospital has harshly criticised the Welsh Conservative health spokesperson about his priorities during the pandemic.

Tory Senedd member Andrew RT Davies was told to stop “wanging on about not being able to get a pint” at a time when hospitals were filling up with Covid-19 patients.

Andrew RT Davies had been critical of the Welsh Government’s decision to stop pubs, restaurants and cafes to stop selling alcohol and to close at 6pm.

“Shortly good hospitality business across Wales will be turning their lights out not knowing when they will switch them back on again,” he said.

“Heartbreaking for the people who’s blood, sweat and tears have built these businesses up.”

But Dr Dave Jones, an intensive care consultant who works for Cwm Taf Health Board, responded that he had his priorities wrong.

“Hospitals again are filling up, the Welsh Ambulance service are declaring major incidents, some EDs have gone on divert,” he said.

“And Andrew RTD is wanging on about not being able to get a pint. Not one word about what he’d do differently if he were the Health Minister.”

‘Debate’

Earlier this week however Andrew RT Davies had spoken of his disappointment at that Members of the Welsh Parliament have not been given the chance to put forward alternatives at the Welsh Parliament.

The new rules that placed restrictions on the entertainment and hospitality sector came into force at 6pm last night, before they were debated in the Senedd.

“Looking at my inbox, this matter is of considerable and forceful public opinion in my electoral area,” Andrew RT Davies said.

“I note that the First Minister said that the Opposition had not put forward any alternative proposals, but if we don’t have the opportunity to debate, then it’s a little difficult to make proposals as ministers are to be questioned on the statements they put forward.

“We are a Parliament, and if we are to be taken seriously, we should have the chance to debate these issues and represent the views of the people who put us here.

“The government has shown disrespect to the Welsh Parliament.”