Picture copyright Getty Photographs
Picture copyright
Getty Photographs
Vaughan Gething mentioned information was processed at “exceptional pace”
Wales’ well being minister has mentioned he’s sorry that 13,000 letters for folks most susceptible to coronavirus have been mistakenly despatched to the flawed addresses.
Greater than 80,000 folks are supposed to get a “shielding letter” from the chief medical officer.
Well being Minister Vaughan Gething mentioned the letters had now been re-sent “so folks ought to obtain them throughout the subsequent day or two”.
Plaid Cymru mentioned it was a “probably disastrous mistake”.
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BBC Wales has been informed native authorities minister Julie James briefed council leaders in regards to the error on Friday.
The letters, which ought to have been delivered by three April, are for these with critical underlying well being situations and advise folks to remain at dwelling for 12 weeks.
They comprise data and recommendation, together with how those that have no-one else to assist them can get medicine and different important objects like meals.
These eligible for the letter qualify for precedence supply slots from supermarkets, though there have been delays introducing that system right here.
The Welsh Authorities mentioned native authorities and supermarkets had been supplied with the proper addresses from the outset, with the latter utilizing these for supply slots.
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On Wednesday, Mr Gething informed BBC Radio Wales Breakfast with Oliver Hides the information had been processed at “exceptional pace”.
“In a single copy of that information the earlier handle was used reasonably than the present one,” he mentioned.
“I’m sorry the error occurred, and I do know that there have been individuals who shall be frightened about it.
“However all these letters have now gone out so folks ought to obtain them throughout the subsequent day or two.”
Plaid Cymru’s native authorities spokeswoman Delyth Jewell mentioned: “This can be a probably disastrous mistake which may needlessly endanger lives.”
She known as for particulars of “what went flawed for this to occur within the first place”.
Paul Davies, who leads the Conservative group in Cardiff Bay, mentioned the error was “simply unacceptable”.
“How on earth did 13,000 letters out of a complete of 80,000 go to the flawed addresses?” he tweeted.
“We should always not see a mistake like this on such a large scale.”
‘Sincerely apologise’
Earlier, a Welsh Authorities spokeswoman mentioned: “As a result of a processing error throughout the NHS Wales Informatics Service (NWIS), some shielding letters have been posted to a earlier handle, the place the supposed recipient had not too long ago moved.
“All letters have since been reissued to the proper addresses.
“We offered all native authorities with the proper particulars from the beginning of this course of, they usually have been straight contacting every individual concerned over the previous two weeks.”
She added: “We absolutely perceive the priority this could have brought about folks and sincerely apologise for the error.”