Well, there are some powerful presentations this afternoon—in the previous debate and this one. I'm grateful to Lynne Neagle for opening this important debate because it is with pride and honour that I speak in this debate, in support of the motion and in celebration of all of the work done in this difficult field. But, so much more needs to be done to provide extra resources for all the nurses, doctors, midwives, bereavement counsellors, neonatal units and all the charities. Services are so stretched and, really, I have to say, I am in awe of all of you providing services out there.

On 9 November 1985, our first-born baby son, Huw, died, 40 minutes after he was born, in my wife's arms. We had one rushed Polaroid picture of him. A postmortem followed, and then, a few days afterwards, the funeral. It's all a bit of a blur now, really, because after the funeral, I had to go straight back to do a surgery in Fforestfach. Huw lies buried in an unmarked grave in Morriston cemetery today, like so many other little babies. 

At the time, nobody could talk to us about this tragedy. Our families clammed up. My staff in the surgery were specifically instructed by my GP partners not to talk about Huw. But, what a fantastic bereavement counsellor we had. It does make you think, 'Why us? Why Huw?', and you can subside into self-pity, or you can say to yourself, 'This tragedy is not going to define my whole life.' Huw's short life certainly made me think about life, its meaning, what you can accomplish in 40 minutes, what you can contribute to humanity in warmth, compassion and kindness that other people, like Huw, never have the chance to make any contribution—only to kick-start me to also contribute on his behalf.

He is not forgotten. Our actions as his parents are in tribute to him; his life that could not contribute, but sparked others. I became a better doctor after this tragedy. My counselling now had the depth of lived experience rather than just being lifted from the educated text. Because people do not know what to say in tragedy when they were facing me and my wife. I say now to people—they don't know what to say, and I say, 'Just say, "I am so sorry." Don't walk away. Don't turn your back. "I am so sorry." There are no words', I counsel, 'And "I will listen when you want to talk."' Never turn your back on somebody who has faced tragedy.

Huw challenged, in his 40 minutes, me to do his bit, and not stay a victim but live as a tribute to him. Three wonderful children followed and on 9 November last year, our first grandson, Dyfan, was born.

In conclusion, as Plaid AMs we often say that we stand on the shoulders of the giants of Welsh history here in the Senedd, keeping the flame of Wales alive. We also stand on the shoulders of those who would dearly have loved to make a contribution but could not. Diolch yn fawr.