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.

ALDI stores in Wales donated 50,900 meals to those in need during the recent festive season.

The UK’s fourth-largest supermarket collaborated with local charities and community groups across the country, providing fresh and chilled foods from its stores after early closures on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.

Research by Neighbourly, the community giving platform that partners with Aldi, revealed growing concerns among charities this Christmas. It found that 78% of the good causes it supports were more worried about meeting demand compared to the previous year, while 51% reported being unable to respond to all requests due to limited capacity and funding.

To further assist, Aldi contributed £25,000 to Neighbourly’s GoGive Christmas campaign, which supports local charities across the UK and Ireland.

Aldi has been working with Neighbourly since 2019, donating surplus food from all its UK stores to hundreds of charities year-round.

Luke Emery, National Sustainability Director at Aldi UK, said: “This Christmas, we were proud to support so many incredible charities across the UK that provide essential help to those in need.

“The services provided by food banks are more important than ever over the festive period, and we’re committed to ensuring those who rely on them have access to a wide range of high-quality foods.”

Steve Butterworth, CEO of Neighbourly, added: “We’re so grateful to have had Aldi’s support for another year. Christmas is one of the busiest periods for our charities, and the donations from Aldi mean we can help even more people who need that extra support over the festive period.”

Shoppers can contribute by donating to local charities, food banks, and community groups through donation points located in Aldi stores nationwide.

In addition, Aldi partners with Company Shop Group, the UK’s leading redistributor of surplus food and household products. This year, it provided more than 2,000 free Christmas lunches to Community Shop, an award-winning social enterprise run by the group.

VUE CARMARTHEN is kicking off the Chinese New Year in style this January with an exciting mix of Mandarin cinema, featuring the latest blockbusters and a special anniversary screening of the iconic Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.

25th Anniversary of a Classic
This year marks the 25th anniversary of Ang Lee’s martial arts masterpiece Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, which returns to the big screen on January 24. Winner of four Academy Awards, including Best Foreign Language Film, the visually stunning epic tells the tale of a young Chinese warrior in 19th century China who steals a legendary sword, embarking on a journey of adventure and discovery.

Blockbuster Mandarin Films
In addition to this celebrated classic, Vue Carmarthen will screen two major Mandarin releases on January 31:

• Detective Chinatown 1900: The latest instalment in the popular Chinese detective comedy series. Set in San Francisco’s Chinatown in 1900, the story follows an unlikely detective duo as they unravel the mystery of a woman’s murder, clearing the name of an accused Chinese man in the process.
• Creation of the Gods 2: The Battle at Xiqi: The second instalment in the Fengshen Trilogy. This epic fantasy adventure immerses viewers in a mythical world where gods and immortal warriors clash in a monumental battle between two armies.

Celebrating Mandarin Cinema
Michelle Kardoun, General Manager of Vue Carmarthen, expressed her excitement about the event:
“We’re thrilled to ring in the Chinese New Year by celebrating the finest in Mandarin cinema, which is enjoying a remarkable surge in global popularity. We’re especially excited to welcome back the record-breaking Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon—a trailblazing film that paved the way for Mandarin cinema and firmly established the genre on the global stage.”

Join Vue Carmarthen for an unforgettable celebration of Chinese New Year and Mandarin cinema.

在 Vue Carmarthen 与一系列精彩电影共庆中国新年

为庆祝即将到来的中国新年，Vue Carmarthen 将于今年一月呈现一系列精彩的华语电影，包括最新大片以及经典名作《卧虎藏龙》的特别纪念放映。

经典重映：25 周年纪念
今年恰逢李安导演的武侠经典《卧虎藏龙》上映 25 周年。这部作品曾斩获四项奥斯卡大奖，包括最佳外语片，将于 1 月 24 日重返大银幕。影片讲述了 19 世纪的中国，一名年轻的武士偷走了一把传奇之剑，踏上了充满冒险与发现的旅程。这部视觉震撼的史诗电影堪称全球武侠电影的巅峰之作。

华语电影大片连映
除了经典重映，Vue Carmarthen 将于 1 月 31 日放映两部备受期待的华语大片：

• 《唐人街探案 1900》：深受喜爱的《唐人街探案》系列最新力作，故事发生在 1900 年的旧金山唐人街。一桩女性谋杀案将一名华人男子推向嫌疑人的风口浪尖，而一对非传统侦探搭档将联手追查真凶，揭开真相。
• 《封神之战：西岐之战》：封神三部曲的第二部作品。这部奇幻冒险大片带领观众进入一个充满英雄与神祇的世界，两个军队之间的史诗级大战即将展开，甚至不朽的战士也加入了战斗。

致敬华语电影
Vue Carmarthen 总经理 Michelle Kardoun 表示：
“我们非常高兴以华语电影的最佳代表作品庆祝中国新年。近年来，华语电影在全球范围内的人气大幅飙升，而《卧虎藏龙》的回归更是令人激动。这部开创性的影片奠定了华语电影的全球地位，为观众呈现了一场文化与艺术的盛宴。”

加入 Vue Carmarthen，一起欣赏华语电影的非凡魅力，欢度中国新年！