Trained pharmacists can treat a broader range of conditions, such as ear, nose and throat infections, without the need for a GP visit. Since its launch in 2020, around one third of pharmacies have adopted this independent prescriber service. There have been more than 0.25 million consultations. Both of these pharmacy services provide fast and convenient access to care for a wide range of minor illnesses without the need for a GP appointment, supporting GP services to see people with more complex health needs.

Dirprwy Lywydd, I turn now to NHS dentistry. The variation we made to the current contract, which focuses on prevention and treating people on a risk and needs basis, means that, since April 2022, more than 420,000 new patients have received a full course of treatment. More than 142,000 more people have also received urgent care. These arrangements are not perfect, but they have made a difference for people who have struggled to access NHS dentistry since the start of the pandemic.

Our focus is on a new dental contract, which will make NHS dentistry attractive for the profession and fairer for patients. We expect to consult on the new dental contract in the spring. In the meantime, we are implementing a 6 per cent increase to the contract. We have been working with the British Dental Association to develop this, and I'm aiming to have the contract in place in early 2026.

The final part of the primary care picture, and perhaps the most familiar part, is general practice. GP practices provide a staggering 1.6 million appointments every month. That's equivalent to seeing half the population of Wales. We have negotiated extensive reforms to general practice to improve access over the last few years. We have just resumed negotiations with the General Practitioners Committee Wales in relation to the current financial year. Practices are required to implement appropriate call-handling systems to manage high call volumes and prevent multiple call-backs. They're required to offer a digital way for people to request non-urgent consultations and ensure there is physical access between 8.30 in the morning and 6 p.m. every working day.

Despite these changes and continued efforts of hard-working practice teams, I know people can get frustrated when they feel they can't get through to their practice or struggle to get an appointment, but there are other primary care services that can help, such as pharmacies, so that those seeking a GP appointment are only those who need a GP appointment. We all have a part to play in that. The GP practice doesn't have to be the only option, and isn't always the most appropriate option.

I want to use the rest of the statement, Dirprwy Lywydd, to talk about the changes we've made to improve access to community services, which play an important role in helping people live independently at home.

From April 2023 we provided health boards with an extra £5 million of recurrent funding to expand community allied health professional services. This has created more than 100 new positions, including physiotherapists, dietitians, occupational therapists, psychologists, speech and language therapists, podiatrists and a range of support staff. And the number of district nurses has increased by 49 full-time equivalent positions since November 2023. This, in turn, has increased weekend working. These new staff are making a real difference. In Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board, urgent diabetic foot waiting times have reduced from four weeks to 48 hours using podiatrist services. In one month alone, Swansea bay’s expanded allied health professional workforce helped 240 older adults through early intervention, complex comorbidity management and end-of-life support, preventing 110 hospital admissions. And Cardiff and Vale's orthopaedic prehabilitation programme, which supports people waiting for hip and knee surgery through exercise and peer support, has reported significant post-surgery outcomes and a social return on investment of £2.86 for every £1 spent.

Dirprwy Lywydd, I’m clear that continuing to invest in and reform primary and community care services is the right thing to do for the public and for the wider NHS. One of my top priorities in the 2025-2028 NHS planning framework, which I published before Christmas, is building capacity in the community. I expect local plans to demonstrate action to continue to improve access to the right care, from the right health professional, in all communities right across Wales. But as we continue to make changes to improve services, we must ensure access is easy and consistent across Wales so that people understand where they can go to get the right care for their needs.

Finally, Dirprwy Lywydd, and importantly, I want to thank everyone working in primary and community care services. Their continued commitment and resilience has been absolutely instrumental in the ongoing reform of services to improve access and outcomes for people right across Wales.