6. Will the First Minister make a statement on access to GP services in the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board region? OQ56936

I thank the Member. Primary care services across Wales are facing increased demand from non-COVID related illnesses, delivery of the flu and booster vaccination programme, as well as the challenges of the ongoing pandemic. GPs and their clinical colleagues in north Wales make enormous efforts to keep their populations safe in these extraordinary times.

Thank you. First Minister, an increasing number of constituents have raised concerns about their ability to secure a face-to-face appointment with locals GPs, with some being repeatedly told that all appointments at their practice are frequently booked—numerous phone calls on a daily basis and yet unable to secure any appointments. Of course, the use of online and telephone appointments have been a key part of the response in tackling the demand caused by COVID, however not everyone can or will consider these methods for such private and sensitive personal health issues. The year before, Age Cymru found that nine out of 10 people aged 75 and over actually consulted their GP during this time. So, when you look at the numbers now receiving these consultations, these measures are acting as a barrier. I've got GPs raising their concerns with me as well regarding the lack of ambulances when they need to make referrals. So, will you commit today to reviewing the guidance and support available to our GPs to enable a much easier and greater interface with patients? And also, with cervical screenings being of utmost importance in our GP practices, and the vital nature of ensuring that everyone with a cervix receives critical screening, does the First Minister agree with Sir Keir Starmer—[Interruption.]—that it is transphobic to say that only women have a cervix?

You can choose to answer one of those two questions; you don't need to answer the two.

Thank you, Llywydd. Well, I'll answer the question that wasn't just an attempt to make a naked political point, because the Member did make a series of important points in the first part of her question. Look, technological solutions to GP consultations are here to stay. They are now an important and integral part of the way in which primary care services will be provided in the future. But the proportion of consultations that are carried out face to face is growing all the time; I think it's back to about half of consultations in Wales are now face-to-face consultations. And I think the answer I have to give to the Member is that we just have to be prepared to trust the judgment of clinicians. They are best placed to know whether somebody can be just as effectively provided with a service by a telephone conversation or a consultation via video link, or whether it is necessary for the person to be seen face to face. Now, you need the technology to underpin that, and I know that there are some GP practices in the Member's own constituency where there's been recent investment to make sure there's an improved telephone service so people are able to get through on the phone and get the consultation that they need. But when that is properly in place, I think it is a clinical judgment as to whether or not the patient can be just as effectively treated via the technological route, or whether or not someone needs—for very good reasons, often—to be seen face to face.