Formal procedure took place yesterday morning and Altaf took his seat on the Welsh Conservative benches in the Senedd for the first time later in the afternoon at 1:30pm.
Biography:
Born in Srinagar, Kashmir, Altaf Hussain dedicated his life to orthopaedics and ongoing research in this field of medical science. After serving the NHS for 25 years he retired as a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon in July 2009. He has served on various NHS hospital committees and was a member of several national and international medical organisations during his career.
Altaf has contributed numerous articles to both National & International Professional Medical Journals and received several awards including Best Team (2007) and Lifetime Achievement (2010).
These outstanding achievements earned Altaf a place in the World ‘Who’s Who 2009 – 2014’, in the ‘Dictionary of International Biography 2010-14’ and inclusion in the ‘Who’s Who Science and Engineering 2010-2014’.
Having been at the forefront of helping people in promoting health and welfare, the end of one successful career led to the beginning of another, in politics, with Welsh Conservatives.
Altaf is a governor at St Robert’s Catholic School in Aberkenfig and has been actively involved in campaigning for Welsh Conservatives in South Wales West since 2009.
Welsh Conservative Leader, Andrew RT Davies AM, said:
“Byron Davies worked tirelessly for his region and, while he will be missed in the Assembly, our loss is Westminster’s gain.
“In Altaf we have a hugely accomplished medical professional who will be an equally strong addition to the Welsh Conservative benches.
“Altaf has had an exemplary career in medicine - dedicated to helping others – and I know this sentiment will be front and centre of everything he does as an Assembly Member.
“We continue to fight Labour’s record-breaking NHS budget cuts in Wales, which have led to overlong waiting times and hospital downgrading.
“Altaf will be another extremely strong voice in that fight.
“On behalf of the Welsh Conservative group, I would like to welcome Altaf to the Assembly. We look forward to working with him as we continue to hold the Labour government to account and develop further innovative policies for Wales.”
South Wales West Assembly Member, Altaf Hussain, said:
“I am honoured to be serving South Wales West as an Assembly Member and I am committed to continuing the determined work of my predecessor.
“I relish the opportunity to be an incredibly strong voice for my region, bringing forward innovative policy proposals with the Welsh Conservatives and exposing Labour’s failure to deliver during their 16 consecutive years in power.
“With a background in medicine and medical science, it will be no surprise to hear that one of my main priorities will be continued work to ensure improvement of the Labour-run National Health Service in Wales.
“I have seen first-hand how Labour’s record-breaking Welsh NHS budget cuts have hit staff, their patients and their families. Unwanted hospital downgrading, strained resources and desperately long waiting lists are a blight on our national treasure.
“Helping to put this deeply ingrained Labour mistake right – will be a top priority.”