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Steep rise in patients waiting over 36 weeks to start treatment Wales NHS: Rise in waiting over 36 weeks to start treatment
(about 2 hours later)
The number of patients waiting more than 36 weeks to start NHS treatment in Wales has seen a sharp rise.The number of patients waiting more than 36 weeks to start NHS treatment in Wales has seen a sharp rise.
Statistics Wales figures show 7,600 patients waiting that long in April, a rise of more than 2,000 but the Welsh government target is zero.Statistics Wales figures show 7,600 patients waiting that long in April, a rise of more than 2,000 but the Welsh government target is zero.
The figures also show nearly 31,000 patients are waiting 26 to 36 weeks while a total of 396,000 are waiting for a first appointment. The figures also show nearly 31,000 are waiting 26-36 weeks and 396,000 are waiting for a first appointment.
The Conservatives said "spiralling waits" had almost become the norm. Conservatives said "spiralling waits" were almost the norm. The Welsh government has been asked to comment.
Party health spokesman Darren Millar said NHS waiting times were getting "progressively worse". Tory health spokesman Darren Millar said NHS waiting times were getting "progressively worse".
"April's rise came at a time when financial pressures were at an all-time high and it's clear that Labour's record-breaking budget cuts continue to have an incredibly damaging impact," he said."April's rise came at a time when financial pressures were at an all-time high and it's clear that Labour's record-breaking budget cuts continue to have an incredibly damaging impact," he said.
"There will soon be 400,000 people on an NHS waiting list in Wales and it's about time the minister (Mark Drakeford) liaised closely with health boards and rapidly reduced the problem.""There will soon be 400,000 people on an NHS waiting list in Wales and it's about time the minister (Mark Drakeford) liaised closely with health boards and rapidly reduced the problem."
The Welsh government has been asked to comment. Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Kirsty Williams said the waiting times figures were "atrocious".
"The Welsh Labour government's target is already less ambitious than in England, yet these targets are still frequently missed," she said.
"Why should Welsh patients be forced to wait so much longer?
"Wales has the longest ambulance waiting times in any part of mainland UK, urgent cancer treatment times not met since 2008, A&E targets that have never been met, the list goes on - the people of Wales deserve better."