Many of his constituents feel they are being let down by a health service that is increasingly difficult to access, says Iain McIntosh.

The Brycheiniog Tawe Nedd MS said at the Senedd that Powys is the largest county in Wales, yet it does not have a single district general hospital, meaning that many residents face long journeys for appointments, diagnostics and treatment.

Mr McIntosh said: “A member of my family had to wait seven years for knee-replacement surgery - a delay that had significant impact on their quality of life - and it's sadly not an isolated case.

“At the same time, newly-qualified paramedics are being trained in Wales at considerable cost to the taxpayer only to be told that there are no jobs available for them. But we need more paramedics, so what on earth is going on here?”

Mr McIntosh asked Health Minister Mabon ap Gwynfor: “Given these challenges, what specific action is Welsh Government taking to reduce waiting times, improve access to healthcare for rural communities and ensure that NHS workforce planning is delivering the doctors, nurses and the paramedics that constituencies such as Brycheiniog Tawe Nedd desperately need?”

Mr ap Gwynfor said he had “made clear” the Government's plan to bring down waiting lists.

He told Mr McIntosh: “We will be looking to roll out elective care hubs across Wales and investing in ensuring that we look at the pathway and the diagnostics.

“I've made it clear that we will be developing a workforce plan and bringing forward that high-level workforce plan in the autumn.”

Mr ap Gwynfor said he would meet representatives of paramedics, midwives, nurses and health boards the following day to discuss the graduate placement issue this summer, aiming to secure as many placements as possible and prevent a repeat in future.