There are a great many problems in the Welsh NHS, though of course much that works well too, thanks to dedicated staff. However, unlike in England, where a review by Professor Bruce Keogh identified and addressed issues, leading to an action plan and improvements in the English NHS, we in Wales have not been granted any review, report or inquiry into the Welsh NHS. That has meant that any problems in the NHS in Wales have been left to worsen and fester, and that matters of concern have not been adequately identified and addressed, resulting in a health service with long waiting times, unsatisfactory outcomes and plummeting staff morale.

In order to have a fresh start, urgent action needs to be taken - and that must begin with the commissioning of a full independent inquiry into the Welsh NHS by the Welsh Assembly Government.

The situation is now critical - people are suffering, and even dying, simply due to the refusal of our government in Wales to commission a Keogh-style report.

Therefore, for the sake of NHS staff, patients, and their friends and families, I implore the Welsh government to swallow its pride, to be both pragmatic and humble, and to serve the people of Wales by commissioning an inquiry into the Welsh NHS.

It is only public pressure that can make that happen - and that is why I have started this petition, which is, incidentally,  completely non-party political.