“No one should be left behind” – Paul Davies MS raises health and cash access concerns

Senedd Member Paul Davies has met with representatives from Mencap Cymru to discuss the challenges facing people with learning disabilities in Wales, including access to healthcare and the growing move towards cashless services this week.

The meeting, held at the Senedd, provided an opportunity for Mr Davies to meet Mencap Cymru's new external affairs team and discuss how people with learning disabilities across Wales and the constituency can be better supported.

A key issue raised was the importance of ensuring that people with learning disabilities can access their annual health checks through their GP practice.

In Wales, people aged 18 and over who are on their GP practice's learning disability register are entitled to an annual health check. These appointments can play an important role in identifying health concerns early, addressing inequalities and ensuring people receive appropriate care.

The meeting also explored the importance of protecting access to cash as more businesses and services move towards card-only payments.

For some people with learning disabilities, using cash is an important part of managing their finances, maintaining independence and participating in everyday life. The increasing move towards cashless services risks creating additional barriers and excluding people who rely on cash.

Paul Davies MS said:

"It was a pleasure to meet with Mencap Cymru and discuss some of the everyday challenges facing people with learning disabilities.

"One issue we discussed was annual health checks. These are an important opportunity to identify health problems early, but we need to make sure that everyone who is entitled to a check can actually access one.

"We also talked about something many of us take for granted – the ability to pay with cash

"While paying by card might be convenient for many people, cash remains incredibly important for others, particularly those who use it to manage their money and maintain their independence.

"We must be careful that, in moving towards an increasingly cashless society, we don't inadvertently exclude people from shops, services and everyday activities.

"These are practical issues that can make a real difference to people's lives, and I'm grateful to Mencap Cymru for highlighting them.

"I look forward to continuing to work with the organisation to help ensure that the voices and needs of people with learning disabilities are heard."