WELSH NHS Confederation says planned care is improving but calls for prevention, sustainable social care funding and investment in estates and equipment

NHS leaders in Wales have welcomed major progress in cutting waiting lists, including what they said was a record monthly reduction, but warned improvements could stall without longer term reform and investment.

New data for November show there were just under 757,900 referral to treatment patient pathways waiting to start treatment, a fall of around 23,400 compared with October and about 44,000 fewer than the same time last year.

The figures also show just over 38,100 pathways waiting longer than one year for a first outpatient appointment, down on the previous month and 62.9% lower than the peak in August 2022. It is the lowest figure since October 2020.

For the longest waits, the number of pathways waiting more than two years fell to just under 6,900, down 90.2% from the peak, a month on month reduction of 450, and 17,500 fewer than the same month last year.

The update also included emergency care activity, with just under 87,700 attendances recorded across all emergency departments in December, an average of 2,828 per day. That was 159 fewer attendances per day than the previous month and similar to last December.

Responding to the activity and performance statistics for November and December, Nesta Lloyd-Jones, assistant director of the Welsh NHS Confederation, said it was very positive to see progress across planned care in Wales.

She said November saw the biggest monthly waiting list reduction on record, with December expected to show further cuts, and added that while not every performance area improved month to month, many measures were ahead of where they were a year ago.

Ms Lloyd-Jones also pointed to improvements in ambulance handover delays over the last year, which she said reflected a focus by the NHS and local authorities on improving patient flow, leading to faster care and better outcomes for patients.

However, she warned the NHS could not rely on unplanned targeted funding alone and said a wider shift was needed, including a stronger focus on prevention, a sustainable plan for social care and a rethink on capital investment, to ensure progress is maintained.

Mandatory carcass grading and price reporting will be required in slaughterhouses from Wednesday, January 28

WELSH sheep farmers are set to see new rules introduced next week aimed at making the lamb market fairer and more transparent.

From Wednesday (Jan 28), slaughterhouses in Wales will be required to classify sheep carcasses and report prices using a standardised system. The Welsh Government says the move will improve consistency in grading, make price information easier to compare, and help build confidence for farmers selling stock.

Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies announced the change during the Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) Farmhouse Breakfast event at the Norwegian Church in Cardiff.

He said the measures would support the industry by ensuring a consistent methodology for classifying carcasses in slaughterhouses, promoting transparency, fairness and productivity within the sheep market.

“Our iconic Welsh lamb is celebrated around the world for its outstanding quality and high production standards,” he said. “These measures will implement a consistent methodology for classifying sheep carcasses in slaughterhouses, promoting transparency, fairness, and increased productivity within the sheep market.”

The regulations bring the sheep sector into line with rules already used for beef and pork.

Hybu Cig Cymru – Meat Promotion Wales chief executive José Peralta said the changes would allow for greater data capture and analysis and improve transparency within the supply chain.

He said: “The new regulations, which now align with a similar position for cattle and pigs, will allow for greater data capture and analysis to be undertaken and support increased transparency within the sector. As a sector we must seek all opportunities for greater transparency within the supply chain to ensure that choices can be made from an informed position.”

The Welsh Government says the new approach is part of a wider UK framework, with similar arrangements already operating elsewhere.

During his address, the Deputy First Minister also pointed to further changes expected in 2026, including the planned introduction of the Sustainable Farming Scheme, which the Welsh Government describes as a new partnership between the people of Wales and farmers.

The scheme is intended to support the sustainable production of food while also responding to the climate and nature emergency.

The Welsh Government has also confirmed its commitment to financial support during the transition, with up to £238 million committed to the Universal layer and the legacy Basic Payment Scheme in 2026.

Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies said: “I would like to reiterate the Welsh Government’s commitment to supporting Welsh family farms, not just in the short term but also in the long run. Our goal is to prioritise stability for the farming industry, ensuring to balance this with sustainability at its very core.”

He added that supporting farmers through the change would be a priority, with consistent advice and support offered across the sector.

Building fairness within the agricultural supply chain remains a key Welsh Government priority, which it says is also integral to food security.

Court hears claims of controlling behaviour, repeated calls and violent incidents during relationship

A MAN accused of a catalogue of controlling, violent and sexual offences has appeared before Swansea Crown Court, where jurors heard evidence of alleged stalking, assaults and rape during a turbulent relationship.

Yogesh Parmar, 35, was arrested on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, after police spotted his vehicle. The court heard Parmar became aggressive during the arrest and had to be restrained and placed in handcuffs in Swansea.

Detective Constable Lauren Williams told the court she conducted a police interview with the defendant on Wednesday, June 18, 2025. She said she reviewed phone records obtained by police which showed a pattern of repeated calls to the complainant made from a withheld number.

DC Williams said the records indicated the complainant received five calls on March 4, 2025, twelve calls on March 8, 2025, and a further thirty-two calls on March 18, 2025.

When questioned about the calls while giving evidence, Parmar accepted he might be responsible, telling the court: “It is possible, yes.”

The jury heard the complainant discovered a second phone while the couple were living at Rosehill Terrace, which she believed showed Parmar was being unfaithful. She later told police that during this period she was allegedly forced into a car and driven somewhere against her will.

Another incident shown to the court included video footage recorded while the couple were driving towards Aberystwyth. In the video, Parmar could be seen revving the engine while the complainant repeatedly asked to put her seatbelt on. Jurors heard she appeared frightened in the footage. Parmar told the court he was “very confused” at the time and said he was “just trying to make sense of the situation”.

The complainant also alleged that while Parmar was living at Mount Pleasant Square, he struck her four times in the face after she believed he had been unfaithful again. She told the court no photographs were taken of her injuries because Parmar was “very possessive” of her phone.

As the trial continued, the complainant became visibly distressed while giving evidence. At 2.43pm, the judge ordered the jury and the complainant to leave the courtroom and reprimanded defence counsel, Mr Leathly, for what was described as a harsh and indirect line of questioning.

Jurors also heard a serious allegation that Parmar raped the complainant on one occasion. She told the court she informed him it was rape, and that approximately twenty minutes later, the assault happened again.

Prepared statements were also read to the court. One, from a close friend of the complainant, said communication with her “faded drastically” while she was in a relationship with Parmar. Another statement described how Parmar approached a work colleague asking to talk about the complainant. The colleague said Parmar “ground me down” until she eventually agreed to speak to the complainant.

Further video evidence was played while Parmar was in the witness box, appearing to show him attempting to gain entry to a property where the complainant was staying. In the footage, a woman could be heard sounding frightened. When asked who she was afraid of, Parmar admitted it was him.

The court also heard Parmar allegedly attended the complainant’s place of work and followed her home while she travelled in an Uber. When asked by the prosecution whether he believed she wanted him to follow her, Parmar replied: “I just wanted to know what was going on.”

During proceedings, defence counsel Mr Leathly referred to the defendant’s character, telling the court: “He is not a man of good character, of course.” The jury has heard Parmar has a previous conviction for stalking, committed between August 16 and November 4, 2022.

The trial continues.