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Wales NHS scan and ultrasound waiting times treble | Wales NHS scan and ultrasound waiting times treble |
(35 minutes later) | |
The number of patients waiting longer than they should for diagnostic services like MRI scans and ultrasounds has trebled in the last two years. | The number of patients waiting longer than they should for diagnostic services like MRI scans and ultrasounds has trebled in the last two years. |
New figures also show patients in Wales face significantly longer waits than those in England for similar tests. | New figures also show patients in Wales face significantly longer waits than those in England for similar tests. |
The Welsh government said health boards were working to address backlog issues. | The Welsh government said health boards were working to address backlog issues. |
The number of people waiting more than nine months for hospital treatment in Wales has also reached its highest level in two years. | The number of people waiting more than nine months for hospital treatment in Wales has also reached its highest level in two years. |
When a patient is referred for diagnostic services such as a CT scan or an endoscopy they are meant to be seen within eight weeks - the so-called "operational standard". | When a patient is referred for diagnostic services such as a CT scan or an endoscopy they are meant to be seen within eight weeks - the so-called "operational standard". |
But according to the figures for November 2013, more than 23,500 were left waiting longer - up from just under 8,000 two years ago. | But according to the figures for November 2013, more than 23,500 were left waiting longer - up from just under 8,000 two years ago. |
New high | New high |
BBC Wales analysis on statistics also show 32% of patients in Wales waited longer than eight weeks for an ultrasound scan compared with 0.1% in England whose figures were released on Tuesday. | BBC Wales analysis on statistics also show 32% of patients in Wales waited longer than eight weeks for an ultrasound scan compared with 0.1% in England whose figures were released on Tuesday. |
And for CT scans, 7.5% of patients in Wales were waiting more than eight weeks whereas the figure for England is 0.07%. | And for CT scans, 7.5% of patients in Wales were waiting more than eight weeks whereas the figure for England is 0.07%. |
Cathy O'Sullivan, acting director of the board of Community Health Councils in Wales which represents patients, told BBC Radio Wales: "The system is not working in the best interest of patients. | Cathy O'Sullivan, acting director of the board of Community Health Councils in Wales which represents patients, told BBC Radio Wales: "The system is not working in the best interest of patients. |
"It needs a very fundamental shake around how patients are treated in the 21st Century." | "It needs a very fundamental shake around how patients are treated in the 21st Century." |
Shadow Conservative health spokesman Darren Millar AM called for the Welsh government to invest more in NHS frontline services. | |
"It looks as though the National Health Service is turning into something of a national waiting service," he said. | "It looks as though the National Health Service is turning into something of a national waiting service," he said. |
On Thursday, statistics on referral to treatment times showed that the number of patients waiting longer than nine months for hospital treatment in Wales had hit a new high. | On Thursday, statistics on referral to treatment times showed that the number of patients waiting longer than nine months for hospital treatment in Wales had hit a new high. |
'Under pressure' | 'Under pressure' |
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 March 2013. | 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 March 2013. |
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 highlighted 88% of people waited less than 26 weeks to start treatment. The target is 95%. | Official figures also highlighted 88% of people waited less than 26 weeks to start treatment. The target is 95%. |
Health Minister Mark Drakeford said the Welsh NHS was "under pressure" but stressed it was not "in crisis". | Health Minister Mark Drakeford said the Welsh NHS was "under pressure" but stressed it was not "in crisis". |
He told BBC Wales: "There are fewer people waiting overall in the Welsh NHS than before. | He told BBC Wales: "There are fewer people waiting overall in the Welsh NHS than before. |
"The number of people waiting over 26 weeks has come down but I am disappointed to see the rise in people waiting over 36 weeks. | "The number of people waiting over 26 weeks has come down but I am disappointed to see the rise in people waiting over 36 weeks. |
"I've made it clear to local health boards, even in the difficult period over the winter, I expect them to concentrate on those longer waiters and I do expect to see those figures coming down." | "I've made it clear to local health boards, even in the difficult period over the winter, I expect them to concentrate on those longer waiters and I do expect to see those figures coming down." |
Thursday's figures drew criticism from opposition parties in Wales with the Conservatives describing the situation as an "increasingly worsening crisis". | Thursday's figures drew criticism from opposition parties in Wales with the Conservatives describing the situation as an "increasingly worsening crisis". |
The Liberal Democrats called the figures "disgraceful" and Plaid Cymru said they were a "predictable result of health boards not scheduling surgery over the winter months". | The Liberal Democrats called the figures "disgraceful" and Plaid Cymru said they were a "predictable result of health boards not scheduling surgery over the winter months". |