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Recent data from the Welsh government reveals the largest recorded monthly reduction in NHS waiting lists, with the current number of patients awaiting treatment falling to just under 757,900—a decline of 23,400. Additionally, the number of individuals waiting two years or longer for treatment has decreased, though most of these long waits are concentrated in north Wales. Since June, the government has allocated £120 million to support these regions. Despite these improvements, challenges persist, particularly with respect to A&E services, where the proportion of patients spending under four hours in emergency departments remains unsatisfactory.
The Royal College of Emergency Medicine has consistently highlighted concerns about A&E wait times, emphasizing the risk of patient harm if these issues are not addressed. Performance against cancer treatment targets has also worsened, with only 58.4% of patients starting treatment within 62 days of suspecting cancer. Surgeons have voiced concerns that limited operating theatre availability and staff burnout could hinder further progress in reducing waiting times. Prof Jon Barry, director for Wales at the Royal College of Surgeons of England, stated, “Patients across Wales are living with pain, uncertainty and delays that affect their daily lives. They deserve timely, safe care they can rely on.”
Emergency department figures for December indicate nearly 87,700 attendances, with deteriorating compliance against both four-hour and 12-hour waiting targets. Over time, attendance at hospital emergency departments has steadily increased. However, only 64.3% of patients spent less than four hours before admission, transfer, or discharge during December, marking the lowest rate in three years. The target remains 95%, a benchmark that has historically never been met. Ambulance response times also lengthened slightly in December, averaging seven minutes and 35 seconds for the most urgent purple category (cardiac arrests) and nine minutes and 20 seconds for the red category (life-threatening emergencies). Since changes made last summer prioritizing the most critical cases, outcomes have improved for patients arriving breathing after cardiac or respiratory arrest.
Nesta Lloyd-Jones, assistant director of the Welsh NHS Confederation, described the progress as “very positive,” noting that many performance metrics have improved significantly compared to this time last year, including reductions in ambulance handover delays that have led to faster patient care and better outcomes. Nevertheless, Lloyd-Jones cautioned against relying solely on unplanned targeted funding, stressing the need for a fundamental shift toward prevention, robust social care planning, and reconsideration of capital investment. On the political front, Health Secretary Jeremy Miles highlighted the government’s commitment, noting that more than 127,000 extra appointments, including weekend slots, have been delivered to reduce wait times. Critics from opposition parties expressed concerns about ongoing high waiting times and deteriorating ambulance and emergency department performance, warning that the health service remains under considerable strain
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