THE STATE of the NHS in Wales came under renewed political pressure on Tuesday (Feb 24) after the Leader of the Welsh Conservatives accused the Welsh Government of allowing hospitals to fall into “managed decline” following nearly three decades of Labour rule.

During First Minister’s Questions in the Senedd, Darren Millar MS said the health service across Wales was “quite literally crumbling”, citing pressures on hospital infrastructure, long waiting times and concerns about service changes affecting patients in west Wales.

He warned that proposed changes to emergency surgery and stroke services at Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest and Bronglais Hospital in Aberystwyth could force patients to travel further for urgent treatment.

Millar also highlighted performance pressures elsewhere in Wales, including long waits in emergency departments in north Wales and reports of deteriorating conditions at major hospitals in Cardiff.

Commenting after the session, Mr Millar said: “After twenty-seven years of mismanagement and Labour budget deals with Plaid and the Lib Dems, the Welsh NHS estate is quite literally crumbling.

“From Withybush to Glan Clwyd and even the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff, patients are facing delays, understaffed wards, and hospitals in disrepair.

“The Welsh Government must step in now and intervene to stop these reckless cuts to emergency surgery and stroke services in west Wales before lives are jeopardised.”

The Welsh Conservatives say they would declare a health emergency and prioritise reducing waiting times if elected to government.

Concerns about the future of services at Withybush Hospital have been ongoing, with campaigners and local politicians previously warning about the impact of centralising specialist care away from rural areas.

A Welsh Government spokesperson said the NHS in Wales continues to face significant pressures but investment is being made to improve services, reduce waiting lists and modernise hospital facilities.

They added that decisions about local services are made by health boards based on clinical evidence and patient safety.

Case highlighted by The Herald prompts political intervention and treatment breakthrough

A PEMBROKESHIRE man who endured more than two years of severe dental pain has finally received the urgent treatment he needed following a campaign involving family appeals, community support, media coverage and political intervention.

The Herald previously reported in December on the case of Robert Probert, aged 51, who is severely disabled, non-verbal and relies entirely on his 80-year-old mother for care. At the time, his brother Alfie said Robert was “wasting away in agony” after being unable to access specialist dental treatment.

The case first gained attention after an emotional social media appeal from the family was widely shared across Pembrokeshire, prompting strong public reaction and calls for urgent action.

Following that publicity, local Senedd Member Samuel Kurtz became involved, with his office contacting the family and raising concerns with the Welsh Government and Hywel Dda University Health Board. He also referenced the case during proceedings in the Senedd while pressing ministers on access to dental care.

Robert has now undergone treatment at the Day Surgery Unit at Bridgend Hospital and is recovering safely.

Samuel Kurtz MS said: “This is a welcome and much-needed outcome. While we are relieved that Robert has now received the care he urgently needed, this case highlights the challenges vulnerable adults face in accessing essential healthcare, particularly in rural areas like Pembrokeshire. No one should be left in pain for years.”

The case has renewed concerns about waiting times for specialist dental services in west Wales, particularly for patients with complex needs who often require hospital-based treatment under sedation or general anaesthetic.

It remains unclear whether Robert’s treatment had already been scheduled prior to political intervention, but the family say they are relieved that he has now received the care he urgently needed.

Health board reports progress across key services including diagnostics and A&E

HYWEL DDA UNIVERSITY HEALTH BOARD has emerged as the top-performing health board in Wales for cancer treatment waiting times, according to the latest figures, while also reporting wider improvements across several areas of patient care.

The organisation, which runs Withybush Hospital in Pembrokeshire as well as hospitals across Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion, said it was encouraged by the progress made in reducing delays for patients awaiting treatment and diagnostic tests.

Andrew Carruthers, the board’s chief operating officer, said there had been steady improvement over the past year.

He said: “We are pleased to see continued progress in overall waiting times across Hywel Dda. Significant improvements have been made, particularly in cancer services, alongside reductions in the number of patients waiting for diagnostic investigations such as scans and endoscopy procedures.”

Performance data for December 2025 shows that 66.5 per cent of patients in the Hywel Dda area began cancer treatment within the Welsh Government’s 62-day target. This represents a notable rise compared with January 2025, when the figure stood at 53.1 per cent.

The health board said improvements had been driven by efforts to expand clinical capacity, better prioritisation of cases, and new ways of working across services.

Mr Carruthers added that the impact of long waits on patients remained a key concern.

He said: “We recognise how difficult waiting for treatment can be for patients and their families, and we continue to focus on making the best use of our existing resources, supporting our workforce and improving how services operate.”

Figures also show that very long waits for a first outpatient appointment have almost disappeared, with only one patient pathway exceeding a year recorded in November 2025.

Diagnostic waiting times have improved significantly, with the proportion of patients waiting longer than the eight-week target falling to 13.4 per cent, compared with 43 per cent earlier in the year.

Emergency department performance has also seen gains. The percentage of patients treated within four hours rose to 71.2 per cent, up from 67.4 per cent, while the proportion waiting more than 12 hours dropped from 9.6 per cent to 8.6 per cent.

However, therapy services experienced some setbacks. The number of patients waiting longer than the 14-week target increased to 24.7 per cent, compared with 21.2 per cent at the start of the year.

Health board leaders say work is continuing to address remaining challenges while building on recent improvements across services.