Wales’ First Minister has been criticised for appointing a Cabinet Secretary for Health on an interim basis given the crises facing the NHS in Wales.

Mark Drakeford was appointed as interim Cabinet Secretary for Health on August 7, with First Minister Eluned Morgan set to announce a permanent Cabinet this month.

Referencing record-high waiting lists and financial difficulties for health boards, Mabon ap Gwynfor, Plaid Cymru’s spokesperson for health and social care has said that the summer had been a “wasted opportunity” from Labour to set out a plan of action to tackle these challenges and said that there had been “very little action” from the interim Health Secretary.

Mr ap Gwynfor MS said: “The challenges facing our NHS demand urgent and immediate action. Instead, the First Minister saw fit to appoint her replacement on an interim basis only.

“A month since the appointment, and with the NHS in crisis, we’ve seen very little action.

“Waiting lists are at their highest ever. Ambulance response times remain below target. Every health boards is in a financial deficit finances, as well as in some form of intervention status.

“With such serious issues plaguing the NHS, the summer has been a wasted opportunity for a permanent Cabinet Secretary to understand these challenges and to set out a plan of action.

“Instead, the temporary appointment of Mark Drakeford could be seen as a decision that was made to appease the Labour benches following months of chaos and infighting.

“After 25 years in power, this Labour Welsh Government is tired and has run out of ideas to save our NHS. Now’s the time for bold and radical action that only Plaid Cymru has the ambition to deliver,” he added.