Change is on the horizon for NHS Wales as health services grapple with challenges, according to Judith Paget, the head of the NHS in Wales. While facing significant struggles, Paget remains optimistic, stating that funding is being injected into the system and will soon bring about positive changes.
In a recent report, it was highlighted that waiting lists in Wales have reached a new peak, with worrying statistics also pointing to delays in ambulance response times. The latest NHS data for October and November revealed a surge in the number of NHS patients in Wales awaiting treatment, marking nine consecutive months of increases. Additionally, less than half of critical 999 calls received a response within the targeted eight-minute window in November.
The data showed a rise in the number of patients waiting over two years for treatment, although it is notably lower than the peak seen during the pandemic. In October alone, the number of patient pathways awaiting treatment in Wales hit a record high. Due to some individuals awaiting multiple treatments, this translated to over 620,300 people on the treatment waiting lists.
The Welsh Government has set specific targets for different departments regarding waiting times, with a focus on cancer services which aim for a 62-day window from suspicion to treatment initiation. While some improvements were noted in cancer service performance in October, there is still progress to be made.
Paget addressed concerns about ambulance response times, attributing the slight decrease in performance to the exceptionally high volume of calls received in November, particularly related to respiratory illnesses. She highlighted that ambulances managed to respond to a record number of calls within the target time despite the overall percentage drop.
Responding to queries regarding the prolonged patient waiting times, Paget explained that the figures reflected the situation in October before the additional £50 million funding injection was announced. With this extra funding now allocated to health boards, plans are in place to address long-waiting patients, especially those waiting over two years. Activities to reduce waiting times, including staff working additional hours and collaboration with the private sector, are already underway.
Looking ahead, Paget expressed confidence in the system’s ability to deliver on the plans to reduce waiting times with the allocated resources. The aim is to significantly reduce the number of patients waiting over two years by the end of March, with tangible progress already being observed on the ground.
In response to the statistics, James Evans MS, the Welsh Conservative shadow cabinet secretary for health and social care, highlighted the pressing need for improvements in the Welsh NHS. Acknowledging the current crisis, he pledged to introduce a strategic plan to rectify the situation, aiming to enhance patient outcomes and boost staff morale.
The evolving landscape of healthcare in Wales underscores the urgency for change and improvement across various fronts, from waiting times to emergency response. As Paget and healthcare stakeholders continue their efforts to address these challenges, the focus remains on delivering timely and quality care to the people of Wales.