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Health waiting time target missed Health waiting time target missed
(19 minutes later)
A long-term target on hospital waiting times has been narrowly missed by the Welsh Assembly Government.A long-term target on hospital waiting times has been narrowly missed by the Welsh Assembly Government.
In 2005, it was pledged that by last December no patient would wait more than 26 weeks for treatment after being referred by their GP.In 2005, it was pledged that by last December no patient would wait more than 26 weeks for treatment after being referred by their GP.
Figures show at the end of 2009 99.3% patients were on target for treatment.Figures show at the end of 2009 99.3% patients were on target for treatment.
The assembly government says it has met an updated target of 95%, introduced last August, which allows for exceptions based on clinical need.The assembly government says it has met an updated target of 95%, introduced last August, which allows for exceptions based on clinical need.
Doctors say simplifying the processes for patients' treatment has helped cut waiting times.Doctors say simplifying the processes for patients' treatment has helped cut waiting times.
England started this process before Wales, so we've always been a couple of years behind Prof Marcus Longley, Welsh Institute for Health and Social Care
Dermatological consultant Caroline Mills said: "We've tried to link the diagnostic tests and investigations with the initial consultation for many patients.Dermatological consultant Caroline Mills said: "We've tried to link the diagnostic tests and investigations with the initial consultation for many patients.
"And some patients may be treated the same day they come for that consultation."And some patients may be treated the same day they come for that consultation.
Couple of years behind 'One-stop shop'
"We call that the one-stop shop so the patient comes along and is seen, [we work out] the appropriate treatment for that patient, and they leave treated on the same day.""We call that the one-stop shop so the patient comes along and is seen, [we work out] the appropriate treatment for that patient, and they leave treated on the same day."
In 2005 there were thousands of patients waiting to get their first hospital appointment, but despite the big improvement the waits in Wales are still longer than in England, where the wait is 18 weeks.In 2005 there were thousands of patients waiting to get their first hospital appointment, but despite the big improvement the waits in Wales are still longer than in England, where the wait is 18 weeks.
Professor Marcus Longley from the Welsh Institute for Health and Social Care said: "England started this process before Wales, so we've always been a couple of years behind.Professor Marcus Longley from the Welsh Institute for Health and Social Care said: "England started this process before Wales, so we've always been a couple of years behind.
"But I think we've reached a point where people say 'six months, well that's probably good enough and there's not much point to force it even lower because it consumes a lot of money for relatively little benefit' "."But I think we've reached a point where people say 'six months, well that's probably good enough and there's not much point to force it even lower because it consumes a lot of money for relatively little benefit' ".
Our waiting times are far higher than in England and it simply is not acceptable for Welsh patients to wait so long Peter Black AM, Liberal Democrat
According to the latest waiting time figures, of the patients needing hospital admission for treatment, 91.2% were seen within 26 weeks.According to the latest waiting time figures, of the patients needing hospital admission for treatment, 91.2% were seen within 26 weeks.
The official target for that category is 95%, allowing room for deferrals on grounds of clinical appropriateness.The official target for that category is 95%, allowing room for deferrals on grounds of clinical appropriateness.
For patients not needing admission for their treatment, 97.6% were seen within 26 weeks, where the official target is 98%.For patients not needing admission for their treatment, 97.6% were seen within 26 weeks, where the official target is 98%.
The figures show that at the end of 2009, 99.3% of the patients waiting for treatment had been waiting fewer than 26 weeks.The figures show that at the end of 2009, 99.3% of the patients waiting for treatment had been waiting fewer than 26 weeks.
Welsh Liberal Democrat health spokesman Peter Black said: "26 weeks is a very long time for anyone to have to wait for treatment.
"Our waiting times are far higher than in England and it simply is not acceptable for Welsh patients to wait so long.
"The minister needs to get a grip on this. The government has set many targets on a variety of issues yet seem to miss them time and time again. This begs the question what are the targets even for?"