Labour points to “real progress” on treatment backlogs as surgeons and Conservatives warn the next Welsh Government still faces a huge task

WELSH LABOUR leader and First Minister Eluned Morgan has claimed “real progress” is being made on NHS waiting times in Wales after new figures showed the treatment backlog fell for the ninth month in a row.

Latest NHS data published on Thursday (Apr 23) showed there were 687,958 referral-to-treatment pathways waiting to start treatment at the end of February, down from more than 713,000 in January. The average wait for treatment also fell to 16.7 weeks.

In a statement issued by Welsh Labour, Morgan said: “Nine months in a row waiting lists have fallen in Wales, the biggest sustained drop on record. That’s real progress improving access to outpatient appointments and treatment across Wales driven by NHS staff.”

She said Welsh Labour had prioritised bringing down waiting lists and long waits, adding that the average wait had fallen from 23 weeks when she became First Minister to 16.7 weeks now.

Morgan also said the waiting list had dropped by around 70,000 in the past three months.

In a pointed political attack ahead of the Senedd election on Thursday, May 7, she criticised Plaid Cymru, saying: “Plaid say people shouldn’t expect change in 100 days. That tells you everything about their priorities. While they make excuses, we’re delivering.”

She added: “Only Welsh Labour has a plan to keep the waiting lists falling and only Welsh Labour can stop that progress being put at risk on May 7th.”

But while the overall waiting list has continued to fall, the wider NHS picture remains much more difficult.

A total of 105,559 patient pathways were still waiting more than a year for treatment in February, while 4,517 were waiting more than two years. Although both figures are significantly lower than they were a year earlier, they remain far above where ministers had hoped to be by now.

Cancer performance also remains well below target. Only 57 per cent of patients started cancer treatment within the 62-day target in February, unchanged on the previous month and still far short of the 75 per cent standard.

Emergency care pressures are also continuing to mount.

In March, only 64.2 per cent of patients spent less than four hours in emergency departments, well below the 95 per cent target. At the same time, 10,939 patients waited 12 hours or more in A&E, worse than the previous month.

Ambulance performance also slipped. The median response time for the most serious red calls was 9 minutes and 25 seconds in March, again missing the target and slightly worse than in February.

The latest figures prompted a warning from the Royal College of Surgeons of England, which said patients in Wales are still waiting too long for surgery and urged the next Welsh Government to act.

The College said recent improvements were welcome, but argued that progress remained too slow and too dependent on short-term fixes rather than long-term increases in NHS capacity.

Professor Jon Barry, Director in Wales at the Royal College of Surgeons of England, said: “Behind today’s figures, the last before the Senedd election, are thousands of people still waiting for surgery, living with pain, uncertainty, and the risk that their condition will deteriorate.

“Progress has been made, but not at the pace patients need, and this is the challenge the next Welsh Government will face.

“Surgical hubs can help reduce cancellations and increase capacity, but only if there are enough trained staff to run them. Without a long-term workforce plan, patients will continue to face delays.

“Whoever forms the next Welsh Government must be ready to deliver real improvement on waiting times. Patients in Wales have been waiting far too long for an NHS they can rely on to help them get on with their lives.”

The College said Wales risked falling further behind the rest of the UK unless progress accelerates in expanding long-term surgical capacity, including more accredited surgical hubs and a credible workforce plan.

It also highlighted ongoing problems with access to operating theatres, saying many surgeons in Wales believe lack of theatre time remains a major barrier to reducing delays.

Welsh Conservatives seized on the latest figures, arguing they exposed a wider NHS failure despite the reduction in waiting lists.

Commenting on the data, Welsh Conservative health spokesman Peter Fox said: “After repeated promises to cut waiting lists, these latest figures lay bare Labour and Plaid’s record over the past 27 years; missed targets, broken promises and patients paying the price.

“Cancer waiting times are worsening, fewer patients are starting treatment on time, and there is no sign of improvement. Meanwhile, A&E delays and ambulance red call waits are getting worse, a clear sign the system is under growing pressure.

“The Welsh Conservatives have a credible plan to fix our NHS. We will declare a health emergency, increase the number of beds in our hospitals and create a Cancer Treatments Fund so that doctors can use the most innovative, life-saving treatments for cancer.”

Conservative figures comparing Wales with England also pointed to a stark difference in the number of very long waits. In February, Wales still had 4,517 pathways waiting more than two years, compared with 189 in England.

However, Labour will point to the fact that the overall treatment backlog in Wales is now at its lowest level for nearly three years, and that the longest waits have been cut sharply over the past 12 months.

The latest figures are the last scheduled NHS performance release before voters go to the polls in the Senedd election.

They give Welsh Labour evidence that planned care is moving in the right direction, but they also underline the scale of the challenge still facing hospitals, patients and the next Welsh Government.

Pembroke Dock defendant faces charges spanning from 1984 to 2008

A MAN from Pembroke Dock is standing trial at Swansea Crown Court accused of a series of historic sexual offences alleged to have taken place over a 24-year period.

Anthony Kenniford, of Britannia Drive, Pembroke Dock, denies a number of allegations including indecent assault, indecency with a child, rape, attempted rape, and sexual activity with a child.

The prosecution is being led by Robin Rouch, while Ian Wright appears for the defence. The case is being heard before His Honour Judge Geraint Walters.

The court heard that the alleged offences are said to have taken place between 1984 and 2008 and involve a number of complainants.

Among the allegations before the jury are charges of indecent assault on a male and indecency with a child, relating to incidents said to have occurred between May 1984 and May 1986.

Further allegations of indecency with a child and indecent assault were also outlined, relating to alleged offences between April 1984 and April 1988.

Kenniford is also accused of offences alleged to have taken place between January 2000 and November 2003, including indecency with a child, indecent assault on a male, rape, and attempted rape.

Additional charges relate to alleged offences between September 2000 and August 2003, including indecent assault of a child and indecent assault on a male.

The most recent allegation on the indictment concerns sexual activity with a child, said to have taken place between April 2008 and September 2008.

Jurors heard a recorded police interview conducted in June 2021 with one complainant, who described what he said were his earliest memories of abuse from the age of five.

In that interview, the complainant alleged that Kenniford would collect him from the Red Roses pub on High Street, Pembroke Dock, and take him to the Fire House on Co-operation Terrace, where he said he was offered small amounts of money to remove his clothes and spend time with the defendant.

The complainant later gave evidence in court and appeared visibly distressed at times during questioning. During cross-examination, he told defence counsel: “Don’t patronise me bruv… This is not something you forget.”

The court also heard reference to another complainant’s video-recorded interview, in which it was alleged that the defendant asked an inappropriate sexual question.

Kenniford previously appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates in March 2022, when he denied ten historic allegations then said to span the period from 2000 to 2008. Those charges included indecent assault on boys under 14, inciting acts of gross indecency, rape, and attempted rape.

At that earlier hearing, magistrates declined jurisdiction because of the seriousness of the allegations and sent the case to Swansea Crown Court. Kenniford was granted conditional bail, with a condition that he must not contact any of the complainants.

The trial is expected to last for two weeks and continues at Swansea Crown Court.

The complainants cannot be identified for legal reasons.

A HIGH-ENERGY family wrestling show is set to bring thrills, spills and plenty of crowd-pleasing action to Milford Haven next month.

From Trecco Bay to Baglan, and from Cwmbran to Milford Haven, the Superstars of Welsh Wrestling are back on the road and preparing to rumble once again.

The popular live entertainment show will arrive at the Torch Theatre for a one-night extravaganza on Sunday, May 17, promising body slams, larger-than-life characters and fast-paced action for all ages.

Since being established in 2005, Welsh Wrestling has built a reputation as the leading wrestling promotion in Wales, staging shows in theatres and venues across the country. Each year, the company performs in front of thousands of fans, offering an action-packed night out aimed at families and wrestling supporters alike.

Audience members can expect an afternoon of glamour, chaos and athletic spectacle, with organisers promising a memorable experience that will have children and adults alike cheering on their favourite stars.

Welsh Wrestling has received glowing praise from fans on its Facebook page, with one audience member saying: “What a fantastic night. My two grandsons loved every minute of the show. A great show designed with families in mind. I will highly recommend this to all friends and family. Thanks for a great evening!”

The Superstars of Welsh Wrestling will appear live at the Torch Theatre, Milford Haven, on Sunday, May 17 at 4:00pm.

Tickets cost £15 for adults and £12 for children. For bookings, call the Box Office on 01646 695267 or visit torchtheatre.co.uk.