James Evans believes that improving health and fitness levels across the country would help reduce the number of people suffering strokes.

The Brecon and Radnorshire MS was speaking during a Senedd debate on raising stroke awareness.

He said stroke numbers are going to get worse because of an obesity epidemic across the country.

Mr Evans, the Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, said: “One of the ways in which we can reduce people having strokes is by getting people fitter and healthier.

“I'd like to know what efforts the Government is making to try and reduce obesity, especially among children.

“We don't want to see our children getting obese, because that means they're going to be having strokes a lot younger. That’s not something any of us want to see across Wales.”

Mr Evans also raised the issue of access to stroke services for people in the north of his constituency.

He told Health Secretary, Jeremy Miles: “You talk about equitable access, and I'm talking about access for the constituents in the north of my county with the situation at Bronglais Hospital, where they're talking about downgrading the service and removing it from the hospital.

“You talk about equitable access. How is that equitable for the people who live in the north of my constituency in the north of Powys?”

Mr Miles said everyone wants to see their constituents get the best possible health outcomes.

He told Mr Evans: “All the evidence we have globally tells us that the best way of delivering that is by regionalising stroke provision - that applies in Wales as it does in every part of the world.

“There is, unfortunately, a tension, and I acknowledge that, where stroke centres may be further away from residents.

“But the clinical evidence tells us that delivering that model, with local rehab and local services, is the best way of ensuring that your constituents and mine survive stroke in the way that we all want to see.

“On Bronglais in particular, as the Member will know very well, the health board is considering its options at the moment and no decision has been taken. We look forward to hearing what that decision will be in due course.”