Jane Dodds is pressing the Welsh Government to support an organisation providing an “absolutely essential service” in her constituency.

The Mid and West Wales MS asked at the Senedd for a statement from the Health Secretary, Jeremy Miles, on The Bracken Trust in Llandrindod Wells.

She told the Senedd: “This is a unique, vital cancer support service. It's been going for 30 years and it's facing a shortfall in funding.

“It's the only independent cancer centre of its kind in Wales. It supports over 300 people affected by cancer every year, including patients and families, both with practical support, emotional support and with bereavement counselling as well.

“Without that urgent intervention, this essential service could start making redundancies.”

The Bracken Trust is facing a funding shortfall of £110,000 for the next financial year.

Ms Dodds asked the Trefnydd, Jane Hutt: “Given the unique role of The Bracken Trust in Llandrindod Wells, what steps will the Welsh Government take to sustain this absolutely essential service?”

Ms Hutt said The Bracken Trust sounds like “a fantastic independent cancer charity”, providing vital cancer services around the year.

She told Ms Dodds: “It is independent. I'm not aware - I haven't been able to find - that there is present Welsh Government funding for that.

“I don't think they have funded it in the past. It must've been funded, presumably, by the local authority, health board, trusts and fundraising donations.

“I will take this back to the Health Secretary so that we can look at this in terms of their current situation.”

After the Senedd session, Ms Dodds said the Welsh Government “must step in” and support The Bracken Trust.

“Without urgent intervention, we risk isolating a group of people who can ill afford to go elsewhere for support,” she said.