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Poverty, social deprivation and poor health are key themes for the major political parties in Wales in the run-up to Welsh assembly elections next Thursday, writes Alex Dobson.

Labour is promising free prescriptions, free breakfasts for all primary school children and the end of home care charges for the disabled, as well as the appointment of a commissioner for older people with a similar brief to the Welsh children’s commissioner. If elected, the party has also pledged to abolish all prescription charges, at an estimated cost of £31 million a year.

Plaid Cymru says it would carry out an immediate audit of NHS capacity in Wales, and draw up a 'national capacity plan' with goals for more doctors and nurses. The party said the emphasis would be placed on primary care with the offer of an attractive package to encourage GPs to serve in under-privileged areas.

Welsh Liberal Democrats would introduce free personal care to those who need it, and they would work to encourage social services, local health boards and voluntary organisations to work together to tackle delayed transfers of care.
 
The Welsh Conservatives said they would target health spending at recruiting extra doctors, nurses and therapists, and a children’s hospital for Wales would be fully funded. There would also be additional investment in mental health and pain clinics.