VERSUS ARTHRITIS has expressed concern over the latest NHS Wales waiting time figures, highlighting the persistent struggles faced by those awaiting orthopaedic surgery. The charity, which supports people living with arthritis across the UK, called for urgent action from NHS Wales and the Welsh Government to tackle the staggering number of delayed procedures.

Speaking to The Herald, Mary Cowern, Head of Wales at Cymru Versus Arthritis, said: “A new year but the same disappointing news for people with arthritis waiting for orthopaedic surgery in Wales. Though there has been a small decrease in overall Trauma and Orthopaedic (T&O) figures, the number of people waiting over a year has risen.

“NHS Wales remains in uncharted territory, and it’s people with arthritis waiting for surgery who are again paying the price – in pain and losing their mobility and independence.”

Alarming statistics

The latest Trauma and Orthopaedic waiting list figures, covering November 2024, paint a grim picture:

• 102,938 people were waiting for T&O treatment in Wales – a 1% decrease from October 2024.
• 59,828 people (58%) had been waiting longer than 26 weeks, compared to 15,323 people in 2019.
• 47,797 people (46%) had been waiting over 36 weeks, a stark rise from 6,570 people in 2019.
• 32,137 people (31%) had been waiting over a year for treatment, up from just 2,473 in 2019.
• 5,106 people (5%) had been waiting over two years – compared to a mere 76 people in 2019.

These figures reflect a system struggling to recover despite promises of collaboration between NHS Wales and NHS England.

Cross-border collaboration stalled

Ms. Cowern also addressed the ongoing debate around cross-border healthcare. The BMA in Wales recently criticised excessive bureaucracy, which has hindered efforts to streamline patient referrals to NHS England.

“We still await further details on how the cross-border partnership will work,” said Ms. Cowern. “The chaos caused by red tape and bureaucracy needs to be resolved. People with arthritis shouldn’t suffer from systemic failings years on end.”

Powys Teaching Health Board has been a focal point of this issue, with many patients unable to access timely care. Ms. Cowern added:
“The goal of recovery shouldn’t drag us back to pre-pandemic levels. The ambition should be to create something better, with a clear roadmap and realistic targets. All people with arthritis awaiting treatment deserve better.”

A widespread crisis

Arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions affect over 980,000 people in Wales and more than 20 million across the UK. These conditions are a leading cause of persistent pain and disability.

To even join the waiting list for procedures like hip or knee replacements, individuals must already experience significant daily pain, often impacting their ability to work and live independently. Waiting further exacerbates these challenges.

Versus Arthritis is the UK’s largest arthritis charity, dedicated to improving the lives of those living with the condition. Through research, campaigning, and support, the charity says it aims to ensure everyone with arthritis has access to the treatments they need, along with the hope of a cure.

THE LATEST NHS statistics paint a bleak picture of healthcare in Wales, with waiting lists reaching an unprecedented 802,268 patient pathways in November—marking the tenth consecutive month of increases. These figures have sparked widespread criticism, with opposition parties and healthcare charities lambasting the Welsh Labour Government for its handling of the crisis.

Waiting lists and emergency care in decline

The 802,268 patient pathways recorded represent more than one in four of the Welsh population. Behind this staggering number lies a harsh reality for patients. The median waiting time has now climbed to 23 weeks, a stark contrast to the 14-week average in England. For those waiting more than two years for treatment, the figure has risen again to 24,361. This is a glaring failure considering Labour’s repeated promises to eliminate two-year waits by 2023 and 2024—targets that remain unmet.

Emergency departments also continue to struggle. The percentage of patients seen within four hours has dropped to 64.8%, well below the target of 95%. In December, 10,857 patients waited more than 12 hours for care, an 11% increase from the previous month. Only 47.6% of red calls, the most serious emergency cases, received an ambulance response within eight minutes in December.

Cancer treatment performance falls short

Cancer services are in an equally dire state. The performance against the critical 62-day target for starting cancer treatment has fallen to just 60.2%—far below the 75% benchmark. While Health Secretary Jeremy Miles highlights incremental progress, including a reduction in long waits for diagnostics and therapies, critics argue this is too little, too late.

James Evans MS, Welsh Conservative Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, called the statistics “truly abysmal,” adding:
“People are dying unnecessarily across Wales. Families are losing loved ones prematurely, and NHS staff morale is plummeting. The Welsh Labour Government has broken the NHS and continues to fail those who depend on it.”

Welsh Government defends record

In response, Jeremy Miles pointed to recent funding increases and measures to address long waits. He highlighted a £50 million investment aimed at improving outpatient services and diagnostics, alongside a decline in delayed hospital discharges over the last four months.

“The health service in Wales continues to provide quality care to thousands of people every day, despite immense pressures from winter illnesses, including Covid-19 and flu,” said Mr Miles. “These figures do not yet reflect the impact of our latest investments, but I am confident that we will see improvements in the coming months.”

Charities demand action on cancer

Cancer charities have voiced their frustration over the slow progress in improving treatment waiting times. Kate Seymour, Head of External Affairs at Macmillan Cancer Support, described the current state of cancer care as “woefully inadequate.” She criticized the lack of strong national leadership and urged the Welsh Government to implement the recommendations of Audit Wales’s recent report on cancer services.

“The latest data shows real people are facing agonizing delays, unsure if they have cancer or when their treatment will start,” said Ms Seymour. “People in Wales with cancer deserve better.”

Judi Rhys MBE, Chief Executive of Tenovus Cancer Care, echoed these concerns, describing the findings of the Audit Wales report as “deeply disappointing.” She highlighted the lack of progress on stubbornly long waiting times for certain cancer types, including gynaecological cancers.

Political fallout

The political repercussions have been swift. Last week, the Welsh Conservatives tabled a motion in the Senedd, calling for the immediate implementation of Audit Wales’s ten recommendations to improve cancer services. The motion criticized the Welsh Labour Government for its failure to meet national performance targets since 2020 and accused it of undermining its own Cancer Improvement Plan through poor communication and unclear priorities.

Labour members, however, voted against the motion, prompting sharp criticism from James Evans MS, who called the vote “shameful.”

“The Welsh Labour Government has broken the NHS, is out of ideas, and is on its way out of office. We stand ready to fix Wales,” said Mr Evans.

The human cost

For patients and families across Wales, these statistics are more than just numbers—they represent painful realities. Behind every delay is someone anxiously waiting for a diagnosis or treatment, often with life-altering implications.

One such patient, Rhian Davies from Newport, has been waiting over two years for a hip replacement. “The pain is unbearable, and it’s getting worse,” she said. “I can’t believe I’ve been left to wait this long. It feels like they’ve forgotten about us.”

As pressure mounts on the Welsh Labour Government, health experts and opposition parties are united in their call for urgent reform. Whether the latest investments and strategies will be enough to reverse the downward spiral remains to be seen. For now, the people of Wales continue to endure a healthcare crisis that shows little sign of abating.

THE WELSH public is being encouraged to visit local pharmacies for free advice and treatment for a wide range of illnesses. New figures reveal that over 400,000 people used the Common Ailments Service in the past year alone.

Pharmacies offer convenient access to healthcare professionals, often without the need for an appointment, freeing up GP slots for those with more complex or urgent medical needs.

Common ailments service

Available in 99% of pharmacies across Wales, the service provides free, confidential advice and treatments for 28 common illnesses, such as sore throats and urinary tract infections. Since its launch in 2013, it has supported nearly 1.25 million people.

Around 220 pharmacies now offer the Pharmacist Independent Prescribing Service, allowing pharmacists to treat conditions such as ear, skin, and respiratory infections, sinusitis, and migraines.

A survey found that 95% of patients who used the service would have otherwise sought help from a GP or other healthcare provider.

Prescribing services expanding

Each year, up to 100 community pharmacists in Wales undertake prescribing training. From 2026, all newly qualified pharmacists will be registered prescribers, enhancing the range of services available at local pharmacies.

Primary care reforms

The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Jeremy Miles, highlighted ongoing reforms to deliver more care closer to home during a statement to the Senedd.

Key statistics include:

• GPs handle around 100,000 calls and 68,000 appointments daily.
• Optometrists conduct over 2,000 consultations each month.
• More than 420,000 new dental patients have been treated since April 2022.
• District nurses see approximately 31,000 patients each month, equating to 1% of Wales’ population.

Comments from key figures

Health Secretary Jeremy Miles said:
“We know there is very high demand for GP services in Wales, with around 1.6 million people contacting their practice each month.

“For most common health concerns, your local pharmacy is the best option, providing free and easy access to treatment.

“We are working with the NHS to provide more care in the community, closer to people’s homes, and to make it easier for people to choose the right service for their health needs.”

Gwawr Davies-Jones, a pharmacist at High Street Pharmacy in Barry, added:
“Since the new pharmacy contract was implemented in 2022, our role has changed considerably. Instead of being in the dispensary, we are now in the consultation room for most of the day, offering clinical services.

“On average, we carry out more than 20 consultations daily, from providing contraception to emergency medicine supplies.

“The demand for advice on common conditions is great, giving pharmacists an opportunity to share advice and treatment, including prescribing antibiotics and other prescription-only medicines without the need to see a GP. This helps free up much-needed appointments for more complex conditions.

“We feel we offer an invaluable service to our community. The services we provide alleviate pressures on the NHS, giving pharmacists great satisfaction knowing they are making a difference.”

Supporting NHS pressures

Pharmacies in Wales offer treatment for 28 common illnesses under the Common Ailments Service. Many also provide emergency contraception, annual flu vaccinations, and regular contraception services.

The Welsh Government has significantly supported this service expansion, increasing its investment by 24% since 2016-17, with an additional £9.9 million allocated this year.