HE said the health service had seen a "marked improvement’’ under the Labour-led Assembly Government when he came under pressure at question time in the Senedd from Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Kirsty Williams.

Mrs Williams said government officials had deemed the health service in Wales to be performing worse than in England, had some of the poorest cancer survival rates in Europe and was not using resources efficiently.

She said: "It's absolutely outrageous ... that the First Minister can make these claims.

"His own document points to significant failings of the Welsh NHS. He has been in government for the last 11 years.

"I would ask him again, what is the First Minister going to do to address the issues raised in your own department's document to address the mortality rates of people in Wales, cancer survival rates of people in Wales and the ability to be able to receive treatment where they need to?

"Your own department says you're not doing a good enough job.’’ Mr Jones hit back, saying a Lib Dem voter interviewed on the radio today was concerned about the UK Government's Budget and the effect it would have on the NHS.

He said: "It shows the transparency that we have that we are able to recognise areas of improvement and once we recognise those areas of improvement we will then go and improve things.

"As far as the NHS is concerned we have seen marked improvement in Wales over the life of this Assembly Government and it's something that we will continue to improve.’’