Ieuan Wyn Jones predicts the Welsh NHS will deteriorate

Plaid assembly group leader Ieuan Wyn Jones said he was unlikely to win the vote, but it should put pressure on Labour to change its health policy.

But the assembly government accused Plaid of "sheer political opportunism".

Labour called it a "pathetic, personal and childish" attack on Health Minister Jane Hutt.

Waiting lists in Wales are higher than in England and in Scotland, and there have been criticisms of the service from the Audit Commission and calls for reform in the Wanless report, which was commissioned by the assembly government.

The health service in Wales is worse than it was before devolution, which in effect means the devolution project itself is suffering Ieuan Wyn Jones, Plaid Cymru assembly leader

Mr Jones said: "The pressure is beginning to tell on the (assembly) government. I think that pressure in itself can be maintained.

"I feel... that the health service in Wales is worse than it was before devolution, which in effect means the devolution project itself is suffering."

He said 92% of English patients were treated within six months of visiting their GP, compared to 87% in Scotland and just 56% in Wales.

"It's a massive gap, and it's going to get worse," he said.

Plaid health spokesman Rhodri Glyn Thomas said: "Labour AMs will have to justify their support for Jane Hutt to their constituents - wherever you go in Wales, people want to talk to you about the failure of the government's health policy."

Labour said Plaid's only health policy was to attack Jane Hutt

Mr Jones said Plaid had avoided tabling a specific motion of no confidence in Ms Hutt as such motions were seen as "distasteful" by the public.

He said the criticisms of the policy extended to First Minister Rhodri Morgan and the rest of the cabinet.

Plaid believes the administration's decision to publish detailed figures on hospital superbug MRSA, announced on Wednesday following criticism, shows ministers are under pressure on health issues.

The nationalists have no plan for our health service, no clear policies and no clue Labour Party

The motion is expected to draw support from the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats. But Labour holds a bare majority of 30 of the 60 AMs, and would expect to win the vote.

'Personal bullying'

An assembly government spokeswoman said: "The Welsh Assembly Government is delivering record investment in health and social care, a strong voice for patients, over 12,000 more staff, a hospital building programme and free prescriptions by 2007.

"The assembly government is always happy to debate its health programme and highlight its progress on delivering its commitments."

She said it was "simply unacceptable" to suggest the NHS was "in crisis".

"This is pure and simple political mischief-making at the most personal level nothing more than sheer political opportunism."

A Labour Party spokesman said: "This is pathetic showmanship from Plaid Cymru and nothing more than a personal and childish attack on a Labour health minister delivering record investment and real success.

"Labour is proud of its health record in Wales.

"In contrast, the nationalists have no plan for our health service, no clear policies and no clue.

"They have no leadership on health and are instead reduced to personal bullying and point scoring.

"Plaid Cymru's only health policy is to attack Labour's health minister."