7. Will the First Minister make a statement on the delivery of health services in the Hywel Dda University Health Board area? OQ58598

Hywel Dda University Health Board is responsible for the provision of safe, sustainable, high-quality healthcare services for its local population, based on the most up-to-date clinical evidence and advice.

First Minister, as I'm sure you're aware, on Saturday, it's World Stroke Day, and I hope Members all took the opportunity to meet with the Stroke Association outside on the Senedd steps earlier to learn more about stroke care and the positive impact that thrombectomy can have on stroke patients. In my health board area, the rate of thrombectomy in 2020-21 was 0.15 per cent, meaning that far too few stroke patients were able to have one. And yet we know that this treatment can make a life-changing difference and significantly reduce the chance of disabilities like paralysis, blindness or communication difficulties. So, First Minister, what work is being done to urgently increase the thrombectomy rate in the Hywel Dda University Health Board area, so that more and more people in my constituency can have access to this very vital treatment?

I'm sure that Members across the Chamber will want to mark World Stroke Day, and to recognise the very significant advances that there have been in recent times in treatments available for stroke patients and the way in which the NHS has been able to respond to that. I'm not familiar enough with the specifics of the Member's question to give him a direct answer on those points this afternoon, but the health Minister is in her place, and I'm sure that she will have things that she can say tomorrow, I believe, when she is contributing on the floor of the Senedd, that will help to answer the important points that Paul Davies has made this afternoon.

And finally, question 8, Joel James.