8. How is the Welsh Government improving access to health care and support for residents in Rhondda? OQ64044

Local health boards are responsible for the planning and delivery of access to safe, quality healthcare services for their local population. We continue to support health boards to make improvements with additional finance, direct Intervention and support from NHS Wales Performance and Improvement.

Health visitors are a lifeline, health visitors like Gemma and Joanne in Rhondda. They're often the first person families turn to when they are worried, struggling or just need reassurance. They understand the pressures people are facing and step in early before small worries become bigger problems. In communities like Rhondda, that support matters. When health visitors are not there, families feel that loss, and so do the wider services that depend on their work. That's why I continue to support their decision to take strike action. No-one takes the step of striking lightly, especially in a role that is so rooted in care and commitment to others. Residents in Rhondda want to know that everything possible is being done, not only to restore the essential support for local families, but to ensure health visitors are being valued and paid the rate they deserve. Now, I know the Cabinet Secretary has touched on this issue, but I would be grateful if you could let me know what discussions you've had with Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board regarding this situation, and what support or action you can provide to help bring about a fair and swift resolution.

And I also think I'm asking you your last question—I think I might be right—here today, so I'd like to wish you the very best with whatever you decide to do in the future.

Members have been very generous in their compliments today. I'm grateful for that.

The Member makes a very important point about the work that Gemma and Joanne and others do, and just how important it is that we acknowledge how vital the work of health visitors is, and that's exactly why I've been very clear the dispute needs to be resolved. Although it's not a national dispute, I spoke with both the health board and Unite at the start of last week; I urged both to work together in social partnership to resolve the dispute. I asked the health board to bring forward the next ACAS meeting, which they have now done, and I've set out my clear expectation that the job evaluation process needs to be honoured. There is a separate national process that NHS Wales Employers is co-ordinating across a range of job descriptions, in order that we can avoid this kind of situation arising in future, and I asked Unite to engage with that as well. It will benefit their members in the future in other parts of Wales, in other parts of the health service. So, I'm happy to repeat that position today in the Chamber. This dispute needs to be resolved, and I hope both parties will take all the steps open to them to do that quickly.

Muchas gracias, Ministro.

The topical—[Interruption.] Sí.

May I take the opportunity as well, Llywydd, if I may, for one second, to say 'thank you very much' to all the people who, every month, are behind the work that goes into preparing answers for these questions? They don't get the credit in the Chamber, sometimes, that they deserve. [Applause.]

Yes, indeed. Thank you very much.