Mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi cyhoeddi dau asesiad effaith sy’n gysylltiedig â gwarchod sy’n dangos eu barn pan gynigiwyd y cynlluniau hyn yn gynharach yn y pandemig. Mae un asesiad yn crynhoi effaith gwarchod ar y grŵp a elwir yn ‘agored iawn i niwed’, ac mae’r ail asesiad yn canolbwyntio ar effeithiau’r cynllun dosbarthu blychau bwyd ar gyfer pobl sy’n gwarchod.
(Mae’r cynnwys canlynol yn Saesneg yn unig gan ei fod yn deillio o sefydliad arall. Mae gweddill y cynnwys are ein gwefan yn ddwyieithog. Rydym yn gweithio tuag at amser lle gallwn gyfieithu gwybodaeth gan sefydliadau eraill sy’n ymddangos ar ein gwefan. Am fwy o wybodaeth darllenwch ein Datganiad Iaith Gymraeg.)
The first impact assessment, on the effects of shielding, concludes that the most significant impact is positive, “with the creation of a robust system of governance that provides assurance that access to services and provisions continues for those who are identified as extremely vulnerable/shielding. There is a real risk to the health and well-being of isolated shielding individuals without this programme, as not providing priority access to food, medicines, social and other services could lead to people risking their health to leave their homes and shop and/or going without food, medicines and essentials.”
The second assessment also concludes that the most significant impact of the food box delivery scheme is positive, “with the creation of an infrastructure and methodology for ensuring that access to food can be provided to members of society that the Chief Medical Officer has asked to shield for the duration of the pandemic. There is a real risk of the loss of life to shielding individuals if they are unable to procure food supplies and need to leave their homes. The food box delivery scheme enables shielding people to remain safe.”
Both these impact assessments note that shielding and the food box scheme help to achieve the Welsh Government’s well-being objectives of creating a healthier, resilient and more equal Wales of cohesive communities, bringing together local communities through volunteers to support some of Wales’ more vulnerable citizens during the pandemic and providing vital services.
Welsh Government say that they will engage the public, volunteers, providers of pharmaceutical services, and providers of food parcel services for feedback on their experience of the delivery schemes.
Alongside the Learning Disability Consortium, we previously expressed a number of concerns around shielding in a letter to First Minister Mark Drakeford. One of our leading concerns was the risk to people with a learning disability when they do not receive correct information in a format that they understand. Read more in our article Shielding – how clear is it?
Read the impact assessments here:
Impact of shielding on vulnerable individuals: integrated impact assessment
Food boxes for shielded people: integrated impact assessment