The first minister of Wales has come under fire for failing to meet a key promise regarding NHS waiting times. Back in December, Eluned Morgan vowed to reduce the number of patients waiting two years or longer for planned treatments from 24,000 to around 8,000 by the spring. However, as of March, the figure stood at 8,389, with the majority of patients (5,747) located in the north Wales health board of Betsi Cadwaladr. This discrepancy prompted opposition parties to claim that the target had been missed.
Despite a decrease from February’s figure of 15,500 due to a £50m investment, the number is still significantly higher than in NHS England, where only 147 patients are waiting two years or more. The Welsh government defended its investment, citing over 5,000 treatments, 2,000 diagnostic tests, 6,000 outpatient appointments, and 2,100 neurodevelopmental assessments as a result. Health Secretary Jeremy Miles expressed confidence that the NHS would come close to reaching the 8,000 figure, lauding specific health boards for not having any patients waiting over two years for treatment.
Opposition parties, such as Plaid Cymru and the Conservatives, criticized the Welsh government for shifting the goalposts and missing targets, especially as the two-year waiting list target was pushed back to spring 2025. The Welsh Liberal Democrats echoed the sentiment, deeming the lengthy waiting lists unacceptable compared to England’s more efficient system. Despite some progress, individuals like Sarah Thyer, who opted to pay for her own surgery in Lithuania due to the long wait in Wales, highlight ongoing challenges within the healthcare system.
The Royal College of Surgeons in Wales expressed concern over the slow progress in reducing waiting lists and called for more surgical hubs to focus on treatments and alleviate pressures on A&E departments. Director Jon Barry emphasized the need for long-term investments in sustainable solutions and the utilization of resources throughout the year to address the issue effectively. With the focus on improving NHS waiting times intensifying ahead of the upcoming Senedd election in 2026, the Welsh government faces continued scrutiny and pressure to deliver on its promises
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