SENEDD Members pressed the First Minister over the state of the health service in Wales, as the Plaid Cymru leader faced his inaugural First Minister’s Questions.

Rhun ap Iorwerth faced his colleagues in the Siambr today (June 2) to be questioned on the progress achieved so far by the first-ever Plaid Cymru Welsh Government.

Mr ap Iorwerth clashed with opposition leader Dan Thomas, who reminded the First Minister that “Plaid Cymru only won 6% more than Reform” in the recent election.

He continued: “That very small lead can be eroded when you do not stick to your policies and when you do not show determination to put the people of Wales first. I’ll just remind you of that.”

In response, the First Minister noted that it will be “a very long Senedd term if it starts in this way” before adding: “But we got a certain percentage more than you in the election.”

Opening his questions to the First Minister, Mr Thomas raised the number of people in Wales waiting more than two years to receive NHS treatment.

Reform’s Welsh leader said: “Thousands of people in Wales are still waiting more than two years for treatment on the Welsh NHS, whereas in England two-year waits were virtually eradicated some time ago, which proves that ending two-year waits can be achieved.

“During the election campaign, you said that two-year waits could end in a matter of months, but your new health minister has said it will happen within four years.”

Mr Thomas called on the First Minister to clarify what “expectations” the Plaid government has set for two year waiting lists, whether they are expected to end within months or within four years.

He pressed the First Minister to apologise to voters for “misleading them” should the answer be the latter.

In response, Mr ap Iorwerth emphasised his ambitions to both cut waiting lists and build a sustainable health service in the long term.

He said: “I reiterate that a priority for us now is to tackle, in the coming months, those issues of the longest two-year waits. In fact, I’m not waiting for the next months, work has already begun to put in practice the changes that are necessary to tackle that very issue.”

The leader of the opposition continued with his focus on the NHS, suggesting that health should be the “top priority” for the Welsh Government.

He criticised Mr ap Iorwerth for highlighting international relations as within his remit as First Minister in a recent social media post.

Mr Thomas said: “On social media, you’ve highlighted the non-devolved matter of international relations as being within your remit as First Minister, an area which enjoys a £9 million budget.

“Reform believes that money should be spent here in Wales on the Welsh NHS. For example, it could be used to employ hundreds of newly-qualified nurses.

“So, First Minister, why are you continuing Labour’s policy of spending large sums of money abroad when it should be spent in Wales and we should be putting the people of Wales first?”

In response, Mr ap Iorwerth said: “Let’s be serious about the challenges that we face, rather than the small change that is referred to by the leader of the opposition.

“We are talking about significant sums of money that we are investing already through a budget deal last year into the NHS.

“I can assure you of this: it’s through innovation and it’s through working with staff within the NHS that we provide that sustainability for the future.”

The First Minister added: “I remind the leader of the opposition that he leads a group in Wales from a party whose leader does not believe in an NHS funded through general taxation.

“That is a principle that we will defend here as we deliver that NHS that’s fit for the future, for patients and for staff alike.”

The First Minister was also questioned on what assessment he had made of accident and emergency performance in Newport and Islwyn.

Reform’s Art Wright pressed the Plaid Cymru leader on whether he agreed the lack of a “full and properly functioning accident and emergency service” in Newport is having a “serious knock-on effect” on the wider communities.

The Casnewydd Islwyn MS said his constituents were facing longer journeys and increased waiting times with the hospitals facing growing pressure.

Acknowledging the need for “significant improvement on the current situation”, the First Minister noted that the Grange hospital “consistently falls short” of meeting the four-hour standard.

He said: “Latest performance figures are unsatisfactory. Prolonged waiting times continue to pose significant challenges.

“I couldn’t make it clearer than to say that my cabinet minister for health and care, and myself, want to see much more being done to provide the kind of level of care that the member references.”

Labour’s Jane Bryant drew on the work of the previous Welsh Labour government, claiming they had “invested significantly” in the Grange A&E because of “unacceptably long waits and corridor care”.

Ms Bryant pressed the First Minister to share how the Welsh Government plans to fund the integration of pathways out of acute hospital care.

Recognising the importance of integration in creating a sustainable health and care service, Mr ap Iorwerth said: “What this government is determined to do is not just count the pennies but look at the outcomes that come out of investment, and that will guide us as a principle through the course of this government.”

Welsh Conservatives spokesperson for health and social care – and MS for Casnewydd Islwyn – Natasha Asghar described the state of the health service as “one of, if not the most important issues that matter to residents across Wales”.

Calling for the Welsh Government to engage with the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board and explore reopening the A&E at the Royal Gwent, she claimed it would “not only” reduce pressures on the Grange but also create significant job opportunities.

The First Minister responded: “We hear the calls, as I will hear calls, no doubt, for investment in different parts of the country.

“What’s important to me, I think, is to recognise the challenges that are being faced by the member’s constituents, to put together a level of service that provides for the needs of her constituents.

“Welsh Government officials, NHS performance and improvement, and the health board are currently working together to agree an intervention approach based on the infrastructure that we have for the delivery of health. Let’s see where we can get on improving the services in that way.”

Plaid Cymru’s Peredur Owen Griffiths, also of Casnewydd Islwyn, referred to his own experience of treatment at both the Royal Gwent and the Grange, following a knee tendon tear last year – and said improving emergency care requires “looking at the entire patient journey, not just the targets”.

NHS LEADERS have welcomed the new Welsh Government’s health and care priorities, saying they are ready to work with ministers to help turn the plans into action.

The Welsh NHS Confederation said many of the priorities set out by the Cabinet Minister for Health and Care reflected the concerns of NHS leaders across Wales.

Darren Hughes, director of the Welsh NHS Confederation, said the organisation particularly welcomed the proposed ten-year digital strategy, describing it as “an essential lever for improvement”.

He said: “NHS leaders welcome the new cabinet minister’s statement on health and care priorities, and we look forward to the minister’s response to our offer to convene leaders to take these priorities forward.

“Many of the minister’s priorities chime with those of NHS leaders and we especially welcome the 10-year digital strategy as an essential lever for improvement.”

Mr Hughes said a whole-government and whole-system approach would be needed if Wales is to make progress on integrating health and social care.

He added that workforce planning, performance frameworks and financial arrangements should cover both the NHS and social care sectors.

He said: “Although targeted intervention to reduce waiting lists is welcome, truly sustainable progress will be driven by looking at the wider NHS estate as key to unlocking productivity and efficiency gains.

“The new government is certainly saying a lot of the right things. Time will tell as to how intentions will turn into delivery and NHS leaders look forward to working with the Welsh Government and wider partners to transform health and care for the people of Wales.”

The Welsh NHS Confederation represents all organisations making up the NHS in Wales, including the seven local health boards, three NHS trusts and two special health authorities.

OLDER people in Wales must not be left behind by the new Welsh Government, the Older People’s Commissioner has warned.

Rhian Bowen-Davies has written to First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth calling for urgent action to protect the rights, safety and well-being of older people across Wales.

The Commissioner said the new Government must use the momentum of the recent election to deliver practical change, particularly in health care, cost-of-living support, digital access and employment.

One of her key demands is an action plan to end so-called “corridor care”, where patients are treated in non-clinical areas because of pressure on hospitals.

The Commissioner said older people are disproportionately affected because they are the main users of hospital services, and warned that corridor care raises serious concerns around dignity, safety and patient rights.

She is also calling for more support for older people struggling financially, with living costs expected to rise sharply in the months ahead as a result of the conflict in the Middle East.

Ms Bowen-Davies wants the Welsh Government to establish a new Resilience Fund for older people who are in financial difficulty but do not qualify for other help, such as Pension Credit.

She has also urged ministers to do more to identify older people who are missing out on financial support they are entitled to.

It is estimated that more than £100m in support went unclaimed in Wales last year, remaining with the Treasury instead of reaching older people’s pockets.

Digital exclusion is another major concern raised in the letter. The Commissioner said public bodies must ensure services remain accessible and inclusive as more information and support moves online.

She is calling on the Welsh Government to examine whether public organisations have the guidance they need to design digital services that do not shut older people out.

The letter also highlights the contribution older people make to Wales through work, volunteering and unpaid care, which is worth billions of pounds each year.

The Commissioner said better support for older workers to remain in work, or return to employment, could boost the Welsh economy by around £1bn a year.

Older People’s Commissioner for Wales, Rhian Bowen-Davies, said: “It’s vital we capitalise on the energy and momentum that’s been generated by a historic election and the formation of a new Government to deliver meaningful, positive change for older people.

“Growing older in Wales is a positive experience for many people and we have strong foundations from which to build progress and change, not least the invaluable strength, resilience and support within our communities.

“But there is still much to do to ensure older people can access the services and support they need to live and age well, and that their rights are protected and upheld.

“And while much of the change required to enable this will need to be delivered over the longer-term, it is my view that action must be prioritised in a number of key areas.

“That’s why I’m calling on the First Minister to take urgent action to end the corridor care crisis, ensure older people can access cost-of-living support if they need it and to prevent exclusion in an increasingly digital world.

“I have requested a meeting with him to discuss these issues and how to resolve them in more detail, and look forward to receiving a response from him soon.”