UPDATE: 6.12pm

AMs have voted against holding an inquiry into the NHS in Wales this afternoon.

31 AMs voted against calling an independent inquiry with 21 in favour.

UPDATE: 4.59pm

THE WELSH NHS is in crisis and an independent inquiry should be called into the services it provides, Conservative assembly members claimed today in the Senedd.

AMs debated whether to call for an investigation similar to the Keogh inquiry set up in England after the Mid-Staffordshire Hospital scandal when there were hundreds more deaths than expected.

Last week the BMA Cymru Wales said the health service risked ‘imminent meltdown’ and said a “new culture of openness and transparency that does not punish doctors and other NHS staff who raise legitimate concerns over patient safety” was needed.

The association also called for a full independent review of NHS services.

The Welsh Conservatives tabled the debate on whether the Assembly should call for an inquiry.

But Lynne Neagle, AM for Torfaen, said discussion of an investigation was politically motivated. She said: “Having read the BMA’s report, while of course there are serious issues that need to be addressed in relation to complaints handling and whistleblowing, to me it offers no new evidence whatsoever that a full-scale public inquiry would be either timely, helpful or necessary at this point.

“Of course the health service in Wales is facing massive pressures. On the one hand, we’re dealing with huge challenges facing health services across the globe – seismic issues like diabetes, dementia and a rapidly aging population. And at the same time we’re having to cope with massive cuts to the amount of money we have to spend here in Wales - cuts, let’s not forget, that are a direct result of Tory Lib Dem imposed austerity that has seen nearly £2bn slashed from our block grant since 2010.”

Nick Ramsay, AM for Monmouthshire, said: “If, as you say, the minister is willing to listen - which I’m sure he is - then would it not be far better at this point to listen to the concerns from the BMA, rather than your side of the chamber slinging mud at them, trying to slur what they’re saying? They’ve got very genuine concerns. For goodness sake let’s get on with dealing with these issues and not mudslinging.”