Vaughan Gething’s sixth session as first minister comes to a close.

Next week is the Senedd’s Whitsun half term recess.

Image source, Senedd

Labour MS for the Rhondda, Buffy Williams asks how will the Welsh government tackle women's health inequalities, including premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).

She says, "women who suffer with PMDD experience debilitating symptoms, both physically and mentally. The illness affects work, relationships and social lives in a way that non-sufferers will never understand. When I suffered, I was unable to do anything for three weeks out of each month."

The first minister replies "there has been some progress made, but there is much more to do".

He says information about PMDD is included on the NHS Wales 111 website, and that signposts information to the Mind website.

He also expresses his view that "for too long, there have been deep-seated and entrenched inequalities in the healthcare provided to women. I have regularly said in the past that if the healthcare inequalities existed for men, they would have been acted on long ago."

Image source, Senedd

Image source, Senedd

This is the first FMQs since Plaid Cymru ended its co-operation deal with Labour. The deal saw Plaid help the Labour-run Welsh government - which has exactly half the seats in the Senedd - get through important votes.

Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth refers to the Labour Party's announcement today that the surplus funds from Vaughan Gething's campaign to win the leadership will not be donated to the party.

A total of £31,600 was left over from the £251,600 he raised - including £200,000 from a firm owned by a man previously convicted of environmental offences.

Rhun ap Iorwerth asks "does he think that's the end of the matter?"

The first minister says "in accordance with the rules of the contest I'm required to return the money to Welsh Labour. They've agreed to my request to provide that money to progressive causes, and the Welsh executive of Welsh Labour now need to decide that. I want to be clear that I won't take a part in making that decision; I think they need to have that conversation freely and without me in the room."

The Plaid Cymru leader says "that money would have tainted the whole Labour general election campaign. So, doesn't Labour's decision to reject it prove the first minister's serious error of judgment in being more than happy to take it in the first place?"

The first minister replies, "I think actually it shows that they have taken seriously the request I made for the money to be used for a different purpose. As ever, not only have I acted within the rules, but I've also recognised the points that a number of members have made, which is why there's a process within my own party to look at the future rules to understand the tests that everyone needs to meet."

Image source, Senedd

Image source, Senedd

Andrew RT Davies, leader of the Welsh Conservatives in the Senedd, refers to Vaughan Gething's decision to sack his minister for social partnership, Hannah Blythyn, alleging that she leaked text messages to the media.

It follows a story, originally published by Nation.Cymru, which revealed Mr Gething told ministers he was deleting messages from a pandemic-era group chat.

Mr Davies points out that the Labour MS for Delyn strongly denied that she has "ever leaked anything".

He asks the first minister to show what evidence he had.

The first minister replies "this has been a very difficult time for members across the government, including, of course, the member who has now left the government. No government in any part of the UK would either give a running commentary or publish all of the information. Some of that information is sensitive to other ministers. It's important, though, that once you reach a conclusion properly that you have not just a choice, but in this office a responsibility to act, which is what I've done, despite all the difficulties and the challenge that causes."

Plaid Cymru MS Heledd Fychan seeks an update on the government's strategic action plan for period dignity.

It’s a year since the Welsh government published the Period Proud Wales Action Plan, external, which sets out "ambitions to eradicate period poverty and ensure period dignity for women, girls and people who have periods by 2027".

The first minister claims "progress has been made in all areas of the plan".

Heledd Fychan says "in August 2022, legislation was introduced in Scotland that made it a legal requirement to provide period products free of charge," and asks "has consideration been given to enshrining the right to access products via legislation?"

The first minister says "we of course consider the case whether legislation will deliver on the practical change we want to see".

Image source, Senedd

Llywydd Elin Jones conducts a ballot to determine the names of members who may table questions to the first minister.

Conservative Darren Millar asks "what action is the Welsh government taking to improve healthcare services for residents in Conwy and Denbighshire?"

First Minister Vaughan Gething replies "we will work closely with the health board to improve access to safe and timely care and high-quality services".

Betsi Cadwaladr health board was placed under special measures again in February 2023.

Mr Millar says "healthcare services in Conwy and Denbighshire are not in a good place. We know that the health board in north Wales is in special measures. One of the problems that I have in my own constituency is the problem of the Colwyn Bay West End Medical Centre. It's a managed practice, run directly by the health board, and I receive multiple complaints about the services from that particular surgery each and every week."

Mr Gething replies, "I'm aware that the West End practice is a merger, I understand, of previous practices that were not able to function successfully. My understanding is that this is a directly managed practice that has been recruiting for new staff to come in, including doctors".

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of Vaughan Gething’s sixth session of First Minister's Questions.

The meeting is held in a hybrid format, with some members in the Siambr (Senedd chamber) and others joining by video-conference.

You can click on the play button above to watch the proceedings from 1.30pm.