This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-25673192
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Wales NHS waiting times highest in two years, figures show | Wales NHS waiting times highest in two years, figures show |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The number of people waiting longer than nine months for hospital treatment in Wales has reached its highest level in two years. | The number of people waiting longer than nine months for hospital treatment in Wales has reached its highest level in two years. |
| Numbers rose to 13,269 people at the end of November - an increase of about 1,000 on the previous month and nearly 8,000 since the end of March last year. | Numbers rose to 13,269 people at the end of November - an increase of about 1,000 on the previous month and nearly 8,000 since the end of March last year. |
| The Welsh government's target is to treat all patients within nine months. | The Welsh government's target is to treat all patients within nine months. |
| Official figures also show 88% of people waited less than 26 weeks to start treatment. The target is 95%. | Official figures also show 88% of people waited less than 26 weeks to start treatment. The target is 95%. |
| A Welsh government spokesperson said: "The length of waits over 36 weeks is reducing, the considerable majority of patients continue to wait less than 26 weeks, and the median wait continues to be around 10 weeks. | |
| "While it is disappointing to note the rise in the number of patients waiting over 36 weeks this month, the NHS Wales is working hard to ensure patients receive treatment in a timely manner, and in order of clinical priority both for planned and urgent care." | |
| But Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Kirsty Williams called the figures "disgraceful". | |
| "Waiting for the start of their treatment is a very stressful time for any patient," she added. | "Waiting for the start of their treatment is a very stressful time for any patient," she added. |
| "Reducing these long waiting periods has to be a priority for this Welsh Labour government. | "Reducing these long waiting periods has to be a priority for this Welsh Labour government. |
| "Whether it is inadequate cancer care, poor ambulance response times or lengthy waiting times, the Welsh Labour government is failing to offer the health service that patients in Wales need and deserve." | "Whether it is inadequate cancer care, poor ambulance response times or lengthy waiting times, the Welsh Labour government is failing to offer the health service that patients in Wales need and deserve." |