The UK and Welsh governments are set to collaborate for the first time to tackle NHS waiting lists, as announced by Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens. The partnership aims to share best practices in tackling healthcare challenges faced by both England and Wales. Labour is leading this initiative to address the increasing waiting lists in the NHS, with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer highlighting the urgent need for reform in Wales, where waiting lists have reached a record high.
The new First Minister of Wales, Eluned Morgan, has expressed that reducing waiting lists is a top priority. Currently, there are 615,300 patients on waiting lists in Wales, with over 23,000 waiting for more than two years for treatment. While healthcare is devolved in Wales, Baroness Morgan emphasises that there is value in learning from each other and that good ideas can come from both governments.
The focus of the collaboration will be on delivering an NHS that is equipped for the future. The UK Government will adopt Welsh Labour’s successful strategies, such as improving access to dentistry, which has resulted in 400,000 additional appointments in Wales. On the other hand, NHS England will share best practices with Wales to increase productivity and appointments, with a commitment to deliver 40,000 extra appointments weekly.
The partnership will also explore opportunities for cross-border collaboration, including mutual aid partnerships between NHS trusts to enhance capacity. Jo Stevens has stressed the importance of swift action in addressing healthcare challenges, highlighting the potential for these joint efforts to drive real change for patients and healthcare professionals. This partnership marks a significant step towards better patient care and reducing waiting lists.
This move towards closer collaboration between NHS bodies echoes previous efforts to reduce waiting lists across the UK. The aim is to create more efficient and effective healthcare systems by leveraging the expertise and resources of both the Welsh and UK governments. The joint commitment to improving NHS services demonstrates a shared dedication to providing better access to healthcare for residents on both sides of the border.