THE Assembly has a "huge opportunity" to get the NHS in Wales back on track due to the independent status of Blaenau Gwent's AM and MP Peter Law, according to a top GP.

British Medical Association Wales chairman Dr Tony Calland, who practises in Gwent, said the creation of a minority Labour administration caused by Mr Law's move from the Labour Party means it must govern more by consensus.

The upheaval - Mr Law was kicked out of the party over his opposition to all-women shortlists - has redrawn the Assembly's political map, said Dr Calland.

"This offers a huge opportunity for the Welsh Assembly Government to get the NHS in Wales back on track by working with the service representatives - doctors, nurses, paramedics, and many others - so that all are pulling in the same direction," he told the BMA's annual representative meeting in Manchester.

"We all can help in the difficult job of explaining to the public the need for change, to ensure the Welsh Assembly Government's aspiration of a world class health service by 2015 is achieved."

Dr Calland, who works in Monmouthshire and the Forest of Dean, had praise and criticism for the Assembly and its health minister Dr Brian Gibbons.

"The NHS in Wales remains in intensive care but I'm glad to say the deterioration has been halted and the situation stabilised.

"Further recovery will depend on the care given over the next few months," he said.