8. What plans does the Welsh Government have to improve cancer diagnostics in light of the coronavirus pandemic? OQ56376

I thank the Member for that question. Further investment in diagnostic equipment and growth in the diagnostic workforce are amongst the actions being taken to create new capacity in cancer services as we emerge from the pandemic.

Thank you, First Minister. The tragic consequence of the measures to control the spread of COVID-19 has been the dramatic fall in the numbers of people with symptoms of cancer seeking treatment. The study conducted by Cancer Research UK found that almost half of people with potential cancer symptoms did not contact their GP during the first wave of the pandemic. Apart from reinforcing the message that the NHS is open for business, what more can your Government do to ensure that we reduce the backlog in diagnostics and improve the chances of survival for those now seeking treatment? Diolch.

I thank the Member for that very important question. It gives me an opportunity to echo what she just said—that cancer services have been open in Wales from the very start of the pandemic. We really encourage people to come forward if they have signs or symptoms. The system is there, the system is open, the system is ready to offer you the sort of help that is needed. I understand, of course, that during the pandemic, people have been wanting to protect the NHS themselves, anxious about coming forward when they knew that coronavirus was in widespread circulation, but from the very start of the pandemic, in April of last year, instructions were issued to the health service to prioritise cancer care, and those services have worked very hard indeed to make sure that they have continued to be available. We restored cancer screening programmes during the summer of last year, and those screening programmes have remained open throughout this second wave. The clear message—it's the one that Caroline Jones herself just mentioned, and I want to amplify it this afternoon—is if you feel at all that you have signs or symptoms that ought to be attended to, please make an appointment to speak with your GP, because the cancer system in Wales is here and waiting to offer you the help you need.

Thank you, First Minister.