PLAID CYMRU has called for action to tackle the NHS backlog, accusing Labour of “utterly failing” and leaving more than 620,000 people languishing on long waiting lists.

Mabon ap Gwynfor, the party’s shadow health secretary, warned waiting lists have hit record highs in every month since March, including each month of the First Minister’s time in office.

He said: “And what’s been the response of this [Welsh] Government? Firstly, to blame everybody else: blame the patients, blame health managers, blame royal colleges, blame everybody and deny responsibility.

“After 25 years of governing, they decided to go on a listening exercise and hear people telling them what they should have known years ago.

“Then, each month leading up to Christmas, a new strategy was put in place, and each month, the numbers on waiting lists were increasing.”

Leading a Plaid Cymru debate, Mr ap Gwynfor pointed to his party’s five-point plan to tackle NHS waiting lists which was unveiled this week.

His colleague Sioned Williams raised the “alarming” rise of the use of private health care, warning deep-rooted inequalities are becoming increasingly stark.

Accusing Labour of eroding Aneurin Bevan’s vision for the NHS, she said statistics show a 77% rise in admissions to private hospitals in Wales over five years.

Ms Williams added: “58% of Welsh people have either accessed private health care or know friends or family who have done so, which is higher than the UK average.”

Llŷr Gruffydd, a fellow Plaid Cymru Senedd Member, said: “Now, the situation in north Wales, in my region, is frightening, if I’m honest…. There is a whole generation of children and young people with conditions such as ADHD and autism being let down.”

James Evans, the Conservatives’ shadow health secretary, warned the NHS is in crisis, with more than 23,000 people waiting at least two years for treatment.

“This isn’t just inefficiency,” he said. “It’s a symptom of a deeper problem and the chronic underfunding and neglect of our social care system.”

Mr Evans called for an independent review of NHS Wales to “fix a system that has been broken by years of Labour mismanagement”.

Russell George, who chairs the Senedd’s health committee, raised concerns about Powys health board’s “ridiculous” proposals to balance its books.

The Tory said: “In Shrewsbury or Telford hospital, a Welsh patient could be sitting talking to a consultant and the consultant tells them, ‘We’ve got capacity to see you. We would see you if you were an English patient but we’re not able to because Powys is not able to pay.’”

Labour’s Buffy Williams said years of chronic underfunding from successive Conservative UK Governments has been catastrophic for the Welsh NHS.

Jeremy Miles, who was appointed health secretary in September, pointed to signs of progress on the Welsh Government’s priority of reducing the longest waiting times.

He told the Senedd the number of people waiting more than two years has reduced by two thirds since 2022, with 3% waiting at least two years compared with 10% at the peak.

Mr Miles said: “The health service is making progress despite the increasing demands upon it but there is much more to be done in order to ensure that people are treated sooner.”

Following the debate on January 15, Senedd Members voted 39-11 against the Plaid Cymru motion before the Welsh Government’s amended version was agreed, 26-24.

Wales will take part in the largest ever UK wide pandemic response exercise this Autumn.

The commitment is part of the Welsh Government’s comprehensive response to the UK Covid-19 Inquiry’s first module published today, which examined the nation’s preparedness and resilience prior to the pandemic.

The response outlines the significant steps already taken to strengthen Wales’ emergency preparedness.

First Minister Eluned Morgan said: “Our priority is to keep the people of Wales safe. We are committed to learning lessons from the pandemic and building on the existing foundations to ensure Wales is prepared for future emergencies.

“Over the past six months, we have worked with other devolved governments and the UK Government to carefully consider and begin the progress of implementing these important recommendations from the inquiry.

“We have taken action to improve our emergency response capabilities and will continue to build on this.

“This will include Wales playing a full role in the major exercise this Autumn to test the UK’s capabilities, plans and procedures to prepare for possible future pandemics.”

A new group is being established – the Wales Coordination Group – to oversee the planning and participation of Wales in the exercise. It will have representation from all key organisations involved at the national and local level, in recognition of the broad scope of the exercise.

THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF NURSING has released a damning report exposing the devastating consequences of “Corridor Care” on patients and healthcare professionals in Welsh hospitals. Based on raw, unedited testimonies from nursing staff, the report unveils a healthcare crisis described as unsafe, undignified, and unacceptable.

What is Corridor Care?
Corridor Care refers to the practice of treating patients in hallways, chairs, or other inappropriate spaces due to overcrowded facilities and limited resources. This has become a daily reality for many frontline healthcare workers in Wales, forcing them to deliver care in environments that compromise safety, dignity, and quality.

Unsafe and Undignified: Nurses Speak Out
A nurse in Wales revealed the grim reality:
“It’s happening daily. Patients are stripped of their dignity, shoved into places to die, and families can’t even grieve because bed management needs the trolley for another patient. Nurses can’t do their jobs properly with so many patients per nurse.”

Another nurse highlighted the dangers of working in corridors:
“There is no privacy for patients, no access to essential equipment like oxygen or resuscitation tools, and no call bells to ensure safety. It’s heartbreaking to witness the lack of dignity and the compromised care patients receive.”

The report details the emotional toll on nursing staff, with many expressing feelings of guilt and helplessness. One respondent shared:
“It feels like you can’t give any of your patients the full care they need and deserve. It’s undignified, there’s no privacy, and sometimes patients are put there without even a proper handover. It makes me really sad to be a nurse in these times.”

Examples of Compromised Care Include:

• Lack of privacy for intimate examinations and conversations.
• Inability to thoroughly monitor and assess patients.
• Increased risk of falls and medical emergencies due to overcrowding.
• Low morale among staff, leading to burnout and reduced effectiveness.

Call for Immediate Action
Helen Whyley, Executive Director of RCN Wales, emphasised the urgent need for change:
“Every patient deserves privacy, dignity, and quality care. Corridor Care is a symptom of a system under immense pressure. It’s time to invest in our NHS, support our healthcare staff, and prioritise the well-being of patients.”

The RCN is calling on the Welsh Government and NHS leaders to take immediate steps to end Corridor Care. The report stresses the need for increased resources, expanded facilities, and better workforce planning to ensure patients are treated in appropriate and dignified settings.

The situation is unsustainable, posing significant risks to patient safety and staff well-being. Without urgent action, the devastating impacts of Corridor Care will continue to undermine the healthcare system in Wales.