I WANT to start this month by paying tribute to the hard work and dedication of the staff at Cardiff & Vale health board. Whilst the Welsh Government’s cuts to the NHS budget in Wales have made most of the coverage – and rightly so – it is important to recognise the efforts of the staff who work tirelessly to improve outcomes for patients.

In the last month, there has been a drop in the number of patients waiting more than 36 weeks to start treatment. It’s a small but significant improvement that needs to be built upon and I am hopeful that the Welsh Labour Government will work with the health board to ensure that this becomes a trend – not an aberration.

Wales-wide, however, around one-in-seven remain on a Welsh NHS waiting list. That figure stands at 418,382 compared to just over 200,000 when Carwyn Jones became First Minister in 2009.

In the Cardiff & Vale health board area, the number of patients waiting over 36 weeks to start treatment fell in March from 5,014 to 2,378. The target, of course, is none. Delays in treatment are a huge concern and cause unnecessary pain, sometimes worsening the prognosis. That’s why it is so important to continue to reduce waits to start treatment.

For Barry residents, who rely upon Heath Hospital for emergency treatment, the news was not so good. The Welsh Government’s target for A&E is to see patients within four hours; the official target is 95 per cent and hasn’t been met since Carwyn Jones became First Minister in 2009.

Clearly in an emergency the need for prompt treatment is self-evident, and with more than 100 patients facing waits of over 12 hours in April there is a great deal of work to do! I have been working with my colleagues in the Assembly to develop proposals to improve emergency care and over the next year you will hear lots about our strategy for the Welsh NHS.

Last week the Barry & District reported on plans to install an all-weather 3G sports pitch at Barry’s Jenner Park which have been given approval – along with another four 5-aside pitches in the Vale. It’s great news, but won’t satisfy everyone.

Whilst these plans go halfway towards addressing the shortage of first class facilities in the Barry area, I note the concerns of athletics clubs in the area who will feel hard done by that this investment will do little to materially affect their facilities.

It’s also worth noting, as my colleague Alun Cairns did earlier this week, that there is demand for more than one 3G pitch in the area. Five-aside pitches are welcome, but would appeal primarily to younger children and these facilities must be of benefit to the entire community. In any case, I welcome these plans and everyone involved does deserve credit for moving us forward!

A special mention must also go to the manager and playing staff at Barry Town United FC, who finished top of the Welsh League Division Two this season. I can recall meeting Gavin at the stadium during the tough times and to see them bouncing back is great not only for the club, but for the town!