Health

NHS waits rise again despite £120m recovery pledge

Published

9 months ago

June 19, 2025

Conservatives claim ‘progress in reverse’ as Labour defends investment in health services

WAITING times for NHS treatment in Wales have risen again, with 9,600 people now waiting more than two years for care – a sharp increase of nearly 15% in just one month.

The latest figures, published on Wednesday (June 19), show that two-year waits are once again climbing after a period of decline, fuelling criticism of the Welsh Government’s handling of the crisis.

Overall, the number of open patient pathways remains high at 789,929 – equivalent to one in four people in Wales still waiting for some form of treatment. Although this total has marginally decreased from March, opposition parties say the system is stagnating.

Welsh Conservative health spokesman James Evans MS said: “Labour is proving in real time that their health strategy is failing abysmally. Progress is in reverse.

***Under pressu*****re: Eluned Morgan, First Minister**

“No one should even be waiting over a year for treatment. That’s why the Welsh Conservatives would declare a health emergency, to ensure that resources and the efforts of the whole Government are targeted at reducing these excessive waits.”

The number of patients waiting over two years in Wales dwarfs the equivalent figure in England, which currently stands at 171, despite the English population being over 17 times larger.

Andrew RT Davies MS, Senedd Member for South Wales Central and former Leader of the Welsh Conservatives, said: “People in Wales have lost all confidence in this Welsh Government to get our NHS onto a strong footing.

“Yet again, the worst waits in the Welsh NHS are on the up, frustrating patients and hardworking staff alike.

“The Welsh Government has to shelve its distractions, like their plans to nationalise buses, and get the government on a war-footing to finally bring these waits down.”

Welsh Liberal Democrats Leader Jane Dodds MS said: “The First Minister has failed to deliver on her promise to cut NHS waiting times of over two years to “about 8,000” by spring 2025, there are still over 9,600 pathways waiting more than two years, yet another increase.

“Confidence in the NHS is low, confidence in the Welsh Labour Government is low, and the only thing that isn’t low is the number of people waiting for treatment.

“The Welsh Liberal Democrats are calling on the Welsh Government to clearly demonstrate how the additional funding from the recent spending review will be used and to ensure that money is used to tackle the crisis in social care rather than short-term firefighting.”

Former Health Minister Eluned Morgan, now First Minister, previously pledged to eliminate all two-year waits by March 2023, and then again by March 2024. Neither target has been met.

Emergency departments also remain under pressure, with only 67.1% of patients seen within four hours in May – well below the 95% target. More than 10,000 patients waited over 12 hours, and ambulance response performance remains fragile, with only 50% of red calls – the most serious emergencies – receiving a response within eight minutes.

Cymru Versus Arthritis: Utterly depressing

Mary Cowern, Head of Cymru Versus Arthritis told The Herald: “Today’s announcement of extra funding to tackle the waiting times crisis is positive news, but it is so utterly depressing to see the number of people waiting over two years for orthopaedic surgery climb again.

“We are two years on from the initial Welsh Government target for clearing two years waits, yet some people on the waiting list now, were on the waiting list when that target was missed. Instead of clearing the backlog of patients, we now have a backlog of missed waiting times targets.

“The misery this is causing thousands of people with arthritis in Wales as they wait for orthopaedic surgery is staggering. Tens of thousands of lives on hold, losing mobility needlessly as they wait for surgery that for many would only take 90 minutes to utterly transform their quality of life. Reducing orthopaedic waiting times needs to be a national priority.”

Government defends progress

Health Secretary Jeremy Miles acknowledged the increase in long waits but said this reflected a recurring pattern seen in April across the UK.

“It is disappointing to see the increase in long waits in April after all the progress health boards have made,” he said. “However, this is an annual trend seen in April in Wales and also the other UK nations.”

He announced a £120 million funding package to bring down waiting lists over the next year, aiming to cut up to 200,000 pathways and eliminate the remaining two-year waits by March 2026.

“This new funding will mean more and faster appointments, tests and treatments over the next 12 months. We’re asking people to do all they can to support the NHS by keeping their appointment and making sure they are fit and ready for treatment,” Mr Miles added.

The Welsh Government says it is also investing in new diagnostic centres, additional theatre capacity, virtual wards, and better coordination between hospitals and GPs.

Cancer care and ambulance pressures

Cancer performance remains below target, with only 60.5% of patients starting treatment within 62 days of first suspicion in April – down from the previous month and short of the 75% target.

Meanwhile, the Welsh Ambulance Service recorded its busiest May ever, although more than 80% of red calls were answered within 15 minutes, with a median response time still hitting the eight-minute goal.

The median waiting time for treatment across all pathways stands at 22.5 weeks – significantly higher than the 13.3 weeks recorded in England.

Senedd battlelines drawn

With Senedd elections approaching in 2026, health is expected to dominate the campaign. The Conservatives say Labour has failed to deliver on promises and wasted years. Labour says it is dealing with a post-pandemic backlog, rising demand, and a UK-wide recruitment crisis – and insists the worst is behind us.

Whether patients across Wales will feel those improvements any time soon remains to be seen.

Health

RCN Wales appoints Nicola Williams as Executive Director

Published

2 days ago

March 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

NICOLA WILLIAMS will take up the role in April, bringing more than three decades of experience in nursing and senior leadership.

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has announced the appointment of Nicola Williams as its new Executive Director for Wales.

She joins the organisation from Velindre University NHS Trust, where she currently serves as Executive Director for Nursing, Allied Health Professionals and Health Care Scientists. With 38 years of experience in nursing and more than six years at executive board level, she is widely recognised across NHS Wales for her work in improving patient outcomes.

A highly experienced strategic leader, Williams has worked across a wide range of clinical and organisational settings. She has led major transformation programmes, strengthened national clinical leadership networks and championed innovation and evidence-based improvements in care. Her work has contributed to changes adopted across Wales and has been recognised with national awards.

Speaking about her appointment, Nicola Williams said: “I feel privileged to be appointed as Executive Director of RCN Wales. I’m a proud nurse, passionate about patient safety and improving care standards.

“Delivering the best care is only possible when nursing staff are supported to work in safe, inclusive environments. I will stand alongside members and their patients.

“Nursing staff are the backbone of health and care. I am determined to support our members across Wales, wherever they work, to meet the challenges ahead and shape the future of our profession.

“I look forward to meeting members across Wales and ensuring our work is informed by their experiences and expertise.”

In her new role, Williams will lead the RCN’s work in Wales and provide strategic leadership across key priority areas spanning the UK.

She succeeds Helen Whyley, who has held the position since February 2019 and will move into a new role as Director of Service Innovation at the RCN.

Health

Decision pending on adult mental health referral pathway

Published

2 days ago

March 19, 2026

Tom Sinclair

HYWEL DDA University Health Board will decide next week whether to make changes to the GP referral pathway for routine adult mental health services permanent.

The decision will be taken at a public Board meeting on Thursday (Mar 26).

Board members will consider a proposal to formalise changes already introduced in Ceredigion and, if approved, roll out the revised pathway across Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire.

Since March 2025, adults in Ceredigion seeking routine mental health support have been advised by their GP to contact the NHS 111 Wales ‘Press 2’ service, rather than being referred directly to the county’s Community Mental Health Team.

The temporary change was introduced in response to ongoing staffing shortages. Health Board officials say the approach has helped maintain timely access to face-to-face assessments for those who need them, while directing initial contact through a single access point.

The 111 ‘Press 2’ service provides telephone assessments by local wellbeing practitioners, supervised by registered mental health nurses, offering advice, support and onward referrals where required.

At its November 2025 meeting, the Board agreed to extend the temporary pathway until the end of March 2026. A nine-week engagement exercise followed, running from December 8 to February 9, to gather feedback from patients, professionals and stakeholders on the potential long-term impact.

Andrew Carruthers, Chief Operating Officer at Hywel Dda University Health Board, said: “I would like to thank everyone who took the time to share their views and experiences.

“I would also like to thank West Wales Action for Mental Health for supporting engagement with patients, including those with lived experience, alongside GPs, primary care teams, mental health staff and third sector partners.

“Our priority is to ensure mental health services remain accessible, fair and sustainable. The temporary changes in Ceredigion have shown some positive benefits, and the feedback we have received from across the three counties will play an important role in shaping the Board’s decision.”

The Board will review all evidence and feedback before making a final decision on the future of the adult mental health referral pathway.

GPs will continue to refer patients with urgent or complex needs directly to community mental health teams where appropriate, and have access to a dedicated NHS 111 professional line for additional clinical advice.

Further details, including the full Board papers, are available here:
https://biphdd.gig.cymru/amdanom-ni/eich-bwrdd-iechyd/cyfarfodydd-y-bwrdd-2026/agenda-a-phapuraur-bwrdd-26-mawrth-2026/

The meeting will be streamed live from 9:30am on Thursday (Mar 26) via:
www.youtube.com/hywelddahealthboard1

Health

Parents urged to check children’s vaccinations after meningitis cases

Published

2 days ago

March 19, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Local pharmacy reports MenB vaccine shortage amid rising concern

PARENTS and carers across west Wales are being urged to check their children’s vaccination status following recent meningitis cases in the UK.

The warning comes as a local pharmacy has confirmed a shortage of the Meningitis B (MenB) vaccine, highlighting growing pressure on supplies.

Mendus Pharmacy said it currently has no availability of the vaccine due to what it described as a nationwide supply issue.

***Mendus Pharmacy: No availability of the vaccine***

In a statement, the pharmacy said: “We would like to inform our patients that, due to ongoing supply issues, we currently have no availability of the Meningitis B vaccine.

“Unfortunately, this is a nationwide shortage and all stock is currently unavailable.

“We understand this may be particularly concerning given the recent outbreak reported in Kent, and we completely appreciate the importance of timely vaccination.”

The pharmacy confirmed it is operating a waiting list and will contact patients once supplies return.

Health officials say keeping vaccinations up to date remains one of the most effective ways to prevent serious illness and reduce pressure on NHS services.

Dr Ardiana Gjini, Executive Director of Public Health at Hywel Dda University Health Board, urged parents to act.

She said: “Vaccination is one of the most effective ways we can protect children and young people from serious illness.

“Ensuring your child is fully vaccinated not only safeguards their health but also helps prevent the spread of infections within our communities.

“I strongly encourage all parents and carers to check their child’s vaccination status. If you are concerned that your child may have missed routine vaccinations, please speak to your GP.”

Meningococcal disease is a serious and potentially life-threatening infection that can lead to meningitis or septicaemia. While many people recover, some are left with long-term physical, neurological or psychological complications. Around one in ten cases can be fatal.

Although the disease can affect anyone, babies, young children, teenagers and young adults are at greatest risk.

In Wales, vaccines protecting against meningococcal strains A, B, C, W and Y are offered as part of the NHS immunisation programme. Infants receive the MenB vaccine, while teenagers are offered the MenACWY vaccine.

Latest figures from the Health Board show that uptake among 16-year-olds for the MenACWY vaccine stands at 76.4%, meaning a significant number of young people remain unprotected as they approach adulthood.

For younger children, uptake of the MenB vaccine is higher but still below the recommended 95% target. Around 92.8% of infants are vaccinated by their first birthday, rising slightly to 91.8% by their second.

Health officials say these figures reflect strong engagement from families and primary care teams but stress that continued vigilance is needed.

Families are being advised to check their child’s vaccination record with their GP or by contacting the Health Board directly. Parents should also ensure babies receive their scheduled MenB doses and that teenagers receive their MenACWY and 3-in-1 booster vaccines, which are currently being delivered in schools.

Parents are also urged to remain alert to the symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia and to seek urgent medical advice if they have concerns.

Further information on symptoms is available via NHS 111 Wales.