Can I thank Plaid for tabling this important debate today? When the health committee formed last year, as lots of committees do, it sent out a consultation to relevant stakeholders, and that was one overwhelming response that came back, the need to focus on women's health issues, and, as a result, all committee members agreed that this would be a priority for the health committee in this Senedd. So, can I thank Plaid Cymru for bringing forward the debate? And we will be supporting, as Welsh Conservatives, the Plaid motion as it's laid today as well.

As part of our work as a committee, we asked the Women's Health Wales Coalition to come and speak to us, to give us their perspectives in a public evidence session back in March, so I'm going to outline some of the issues that they raised. And from that, we also took up some of the issues with the Minister, but the evidence that we took on that day will help us to undertake some of our other work as well, across the rest of this term. What the coalition did tell us is that women are more likely to experience poorer health than men, and often symptoms go misdiagnosed or untreated. They said that women experience delays in diagnosis and care as well.

A report published back in December 2019 told all four UK nations that we need a women's healthcare plan, and in Scotland, in fact, they're leading the way, in fairness to Scotland. Their plan came forward in August 2021. The UK Government for England, their plan is currently out for consultation, so, of course, we're concerned that Wales is not left behind in this regard.

One of the issues that the coalition raised with us is the lack of data. One possible reason for this could be the under-representation of women on trials, often an issue that will lead to that lack of information, that lack of data.

Access to specialist services was another issue raised with us. The existing models of healthcare provision in Wales have historically not worked for women because they're being centred or not tailored to specific needs—an issue that the coalition specifically raised with us. Those requiring different specialists that they can find are not adequately being joined up, and the lack of collaboration as well between health boards in developing specialist services and making them universally available.

Information and communication is another issue that was raised strongly with us, as well. Of course, the example there was the recent miscommunication about the cervical screening programme. That's highlighted the importance of clear and accurate communications.

Mental health was, of course, another issue raised with us as a committee by the coalition. A report by the UK women's mental health taskforce found that women are more likely to experience common mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression than men, and they say that this, especially in young women, particularly in younger groups of women, is mainly because their anxiety builds up about their conditions not being identified correctly.

Education and training was another issue raised. What the coalition highlighted to us there was the priority need for improved training for healthcare professionals. Again, they suggested areas of improvement, including improved medical training specifically on women's health to be prioritised in foundation doctors' training, to address unconscious bias and to raise awareness as well.

And then the last point I'd raise is preventative health. I'm sure we all agree with that and the Minister will agree with that as well. But the coalition suggested that, in many cases, alcohol consumption, smoking, et cetera, were quite common mechanisms for dealing with issues in life, including chronic illness as well. What they said is that without better understanding of what is driving girls and women to engage in these behaviours, it would be very difficult to design services to meet those particular needs. So, I hope—.

Thanks very much. My time's run out, I notice, but thanks to Plaid for bringing forward this debate today, and I look forward to the rest of the contributions from Members.