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I am delighted to have been appointed as Minister for Health and Social Services.

Having worked in the NHS in Wales for more than 20 years before I became an Assembly Member, I’ve seen first hand the commitment of health and social care staff and the fantastic service that you deliver, day in, day out.

Thanks to your efforts, patient care has improved dramatically, especially over the last few years.

Waiting times have fallen significantly. Survival rates for the big killer diseases are improving. Quality of care is being raised, with initiatives like 1,000 Lives Plus delivering better standards of care.

However, I am not complacent and we must build on these achievements.

My priorities over the term of this Government include improving access to GPs surgeries in the evenings and on a Saturday, instigating annual health checks for the over 50s, improving cancer, cardiac and stroke services, further improving ambulance response times, modernising acute services and improving maternity care.

Not only do we need to improve health services further, but we also need to address the health and well-being of the people of Wales. The Welsh Government will continue to invest in tackling the biggest public health priorities, including alcohol abuse, obesity and smoking.

On children and social services, my Deputy Minister, Gwenda Thomas and I will be working to introduce a new Social Services Act. We will also continue to improve support for carers, put regaining independence at the heart of our approach to providing services to older people and introduce a Wales Children Act to build on the work of the Children’s Rights Measure. The roll-out of Integrated Family Support Teams will continue to support our efforts to eradicate child poverty.

Having spent the largest part of my working life in the health service, I don’t want to lose the connection with frontline staff. I want to ensure you are at the heart of engagement as we work to modernise services and I am planning to undertake a series of initial visits over the coming months where I can meet with those at the coalface to listen to your views.

The First Minister has made it clear he sees this Government term as one of delivery. Thanks to your efforts, we have a sound base on which to build, and I look forward to working with you to further improve health and social care services for the people of Wales.