National Assembly for Wales

Phlebotomy services are vital to primary and secondary care. The Welsh Government works with Swansea Bay University Health Board to ensure timely blood tests and avoid delays to diagnostics and planned care. Significant national investment is improving access to out-patient and diagnostic services across Wales.

Our national approach to treating and supporting women affected by breast cancer is set out in the quality statement for cancer, which includes planning requirements for NHS organisations in the form of nationally agreed pathways of care for primary and for secondary breast cancer.

Under the all-Wales breastfeeding action plan, the Welsh Government funded a national lead within Public Health Wales to co-ordinate delivery. Bright Spots events were a key action to share best practice and learning with the work in Blaenau Gwent, presented in October 2025. Learning from all initiatives will inform the next iteration of the infant feeding plan.

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board submitted a strategic outline case in October 2024, but work was paused while BCUHB undertook a prioritisation exercise on its primary and community development programme. Holyhead has now been confirmed as a priority and BCUHB is reviewing the SOC before resubmission.

We offer comprehensive support for businesses across Wales. Through Business Wales, our bilingual, one‑stop service, we give entrepreneurs and firms direct access to expert advice, information and guidance. Alongside this, we provide dedicated relationship management, innovation support and export expertise to help businesses grow, compete and succeed.

I am delighted that, following our support, the Cardiff heat network is sustainably decarbonising heat at scale. We are working with local authorities, the Mining Remediation Authority and developers across Wales to explore all opportunities for heat networks to provide low-carbon and affordable heating that boosts the green economy.