James Evans says Labour has contributed to low patient flow through hospitals by closing cottage and community hospitals which would have helped address the problem.

The Brecon and Radnorshire MS said at the Senedd that one of the biggest issues facing hospitals in terms of patient flow is getting people into social care or step-down care, which he said is one of the best ways of reducing pressure on hospitals.

He said successive Welsh Labour Governments have closed cottage and community hospitals across Wales and reduced bed capacity.

Mr Evans asked First Minister, Eluned Morgan: “Will you take this opportunity to regret what previous Welsh Labour Governments have done in closing cottage and community hospitals?

“I know there are lots that have gone in my constituency, which could ease pressure on parts of secondary care, but policies pursued by your Government have closed them.

“Do you regret that, and that this is a problem of your own making by having short-sighted policy visions?”

Ms Morgan said: “We are a party that established the NHS in Wales, and we are committed to the NHS in Wales.

“We are the party that has put more investment into the Welsh NHS in the past year than ever before. We are the party that has increased the numbers of people who work in the NHS.

“Let me be clear - I don't think the people of Wales understand how unsafe the NHS would be in the hands of Reform.

“People must be really careful when it comes to this next election in terms of the risks they may be taking with the services they rely on.”

After the session, Mr Evans said: “The First Minister can talk about investment and staffing, but if you remove the local capacity that helps people recover and move on safely, you build pressure into the system. Labour should be honest about the consequences of those closures and start backing community provision that actually supports patient flow.”