**Cautious Optimism Emerges over Improvements in Wales’ NHS Waiting Times**
Welsh NHS waiting lists have seen a decrease for the first time in nearly a year, according to the latest data. The number of patient pathways open in Wales dropped by 2,000, from 802,300 in November to 800,400 in December. This improvement marks a positive shift, although it still remains the fourth-highest figure on record. In December, there were approximately 615,000 patients on waiting lists for treatment. Health Minister Jeremy Miles acknowledged the progress made but highlighted that there is still a significant journey ahead in improving NHS waiting times.
Despite the decrease in patient pathways, the number of individuals waiting 36 weeks or more for treatment has reached a record high. The Welsh Government aims for no patients to wait beyond this timeframe, yet the number of people experiencing extended waits rose from 283,035 to 284,586. Additionally, there are still 23,600 pathways waiting for more than two years, marking a 3% decrease from the previous month. First Minister Eluned Morgan had previously committed to eliminating these two-year waits by March 2023 during her tenure in the health brief.
At the end of December, the median waiting time for treatment stood at 23.6 weeks, reflecting a 0.6-week increase from the previous month. The latest data has also shed light on the state of emergency departments in Wales, revealing some minor improvements in A&E and ambulance waiting times. However, these figures continue to fall short of targets set by the Welsh Government, with over 10,000 patients waiting 12 hours or longer in A&E departments for admission, transfer, or discharge. The target is to avoid any patient waiting such extended periods.
Moreover, there was a slight improvement in the response time for the most serious 999 calls, with 48.3% of red calls receiving an emergency/ambulance response within eight minutes in January—an increase of 0.7 percentage points from December. Despite these improvements, the response remains significantly below the 65% goal. In response, Plaid Cymru’s Mabon ap Gwynfor MS expressed that it had taken excessively long to reach this point, emphasizing previous fluctuations in waiting lists under Labour’s administration.
Conversely, Conservative health spokesman James Evans MS critiqued the Welsh Labour Government for the lack of substantial progress, indicating a concerning trend for patients. Concerns were raised about the potential failure to meet self-imposed targets for the third consecutive year. Evans highlighted the need for trust in the Welsh Conservatives to drive improvements in the NHS through enhancing capacity sharing across communities, borders, and sectors, alongside implementing a robust workforce plan to alleviate long-term pressures.
In conclusion, while there are positive strides in reducing NHS waiting lists in Wales, challenges persist in meeting critical targets and ensuring timely access to healthcare services. The Welsh Government faces ongoing pressure to address the healthcare system’s shortcomings and deliver efficient and effective care to all patients. Stay informed about the latest developments in Welsh healthcare by subscribing to our newsletter for regular updates and insights.