Author Jenny Rees, a Health Correspondent, has reported that there are upcoming plans in Wales to revamp the process of adding individuals to surgery waiting lists and to combat missed appointments. Health Secretary Jeremy Miles is scheduled to disclose more details on the Welsh government’s strategy to reduce waiting lists by approximately 25% by March 2026. Hospital volunteer John Timmons, 70, expressed his approval of the plans, citing an overwhelming number of patients failing to attend appointments. Conversely, the charity Fair Treatment for the Women of Wales (FTWW) raised concerns about potential delays in seeking help due to the fear of weight stigma.
The proposed changes form part of a larger initiative in Wales to enhance the NHS, which has recently seen minor decreases in record waiting lists. Some of the proposed changes include referring patients who miss hospital appointments more than twice back to their GP, introducing an improved Welsh NHS app for better patient tracking, and implementing interventions to ensure patients are prepared for surgery, including weight loss or increased exercise. The Welsh government emphasized that patients who are healthy before surgery have a higher chance of recovering quickly and assured support to get them in optimal condition for treatment.
Mr. Timmons, a supporter of the proposed changes, praised the sanctions for missed appointments, highlighting the importance of making way for individuals in desperate need of medical attention. As someone who underwent an exercise scheme while waiting for his second knee replacement, Mr. Timmons stressed the positive impact of being physically fit on recovery. Health Secretary Miles disclosed that 700,000 hospital outpatient appointments were missed or canceled last year and emphasized the need for patients to take responsibility for their health to optimize NHS resources.
Annie Hillman, a community sport and health manager, spoke about the collaboration between Better Leisure Centres and the NHS to deliver health sessions for patients experiencing pain. Patients can self-refer or be referred by hospital physiotherapy teams to participate in classes at the leisure center. The lack of funding for such initiatives poses a challenge, despite the high demand. Paul O’Sullivan, a retiree who underwent knee replacements, praised the benefits of engaging in physical activities pre- and post-operation, emphasizing the importance of remaining active for better recovery outcomes. Pat Mackie, a long-time user of Eastern Leisure Centre, supported initiatives to reduce waiting lists, sharing her husband’s experience of waiting for essential heart scans
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