Health

Scale of ‘devastating ambulance waits’ across Wales revealed in latest figures

Published

3 years ago

June 21, 2022

OVER 10,000 people with serious conditions are waiting over an hour for an ambulance in Wales.

In figures obtained by the Welsh Conservatives, it was found 3,351 people that rang an ambulance and were designated amber in April had to wait over four hours for it to arrive.

According to monthly Welsh Government statistics, a staggering two-thirds (67.1% or 10,157) of amber ambulances took over an hour to reach their patient, but it took a written question from the Leader of the Opposition to find out exactly how long people had to wait.

Ambulances waiting to unload outside Withybush Hospital (Pic: Herald)

The information uncovered that 344 people waited over 12 hours. 14 waited over a day for an amber call to be reached, half of which were in North Wales.

Calls for ambulances are triaged into red, amber, and green calls. Red calls are life-threatening but serious conditions like strokes are classified as amber by the Labour Government in Cardiff Bay.

Three red-calls also took over an hour to reach their patient in April, two in Dyfed and one in the Swansea Bay health board area.

Only 51% of responses to immediately life-threatening calls arrived within eight minutes, down from 61% in April 2021. The target of 65% of red-calls reaching their patient within eight minutes has not been reached in over 18 months.

It follows news of dozens of incidents when police cars had to be deployed as ambulances.

Commenting, Welsh Conservative and Shadow Health Minister Russell George MS said: “It is scandalous how long people have to wait for ambulance in Wales, no matter how serious the emergency – if you’re in need of one, your problem needs urgent attention.

“I cannot imagine the anguish people feel as they or a loved one are left languishing in pain because Labour’s mismanagement of the NHS has turned ambulance provision into a postcode lottery.

“We know that ambulance delays are down to them getting stuck at A&E departments, full and slow-moving because of issues in accessing other parts of the NHS.

“That’s why Labour need a plan to ensure people come to hospital as a last resort, not because they have no confidence in or access to other parts of the health service.”

Andrew RT Davies MS, the Welsh Conservative leader who submitted the question, added: “These waits are very concerning, more so because we had to dig them up because ministers do not routinely publish them.

“We know the pandemic has hit all aspects of the NHS hard, but we know that the NHS under Labour has been in dire straits for a long time and ambulance waits have been going downhill for a while.

“As I told the First Minister back in March, he has failed to plan for the end of Army assistance in the ambulance service and now patients and paramedics are paying the price.”

Responding to the publication of Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch’s Interim Bulletin Harm caused by delays in transferring patients to the right place of care, Dr Henderson said: “It is well-known among health care professionals, especially the Paramedicine and Emergency Medicine workforce, that ambulance handover delays cause serious harm to patients. Instances of ambulance handover delays became a frequent and serious threat in late 2020 and early 2021 and in response to this rising threat The College published Ambulance Handover Delays: Options Appraisal. In November 2021, The Association of Ambulance Chief Executives published their report Delayed hospital handovers: Impact assessment of patient harm which found that these delays were leading to an unacceptable level of patient harm and presented a serious risk.

“We welcome the HSIB interim bulletin and its safety recommendations, we urge the Department of Health and Social Care to prioritise and urgently act on these recommendations. The situation continues to worsen, and it is highly detrimental to patient safety, to paramedic and EM staff, and public confidence in the emergency care services. Critically, the Urgent and Emergency Care system is failing to function as it should, we must do all we can to change that.”

Figures released recenerly show that in last month only half (51.2%) of red ambulance calls were met within the target time across Wales. In some areas such as Hywel Dda Health Board it is as low as 39%.

The Welsh Liberal Democrats are calling on the Welsh Government to address waiting times for primary care services to relieve the pressure on A&E.

Commenting Jane Dodds MS said: “This simply cannot go on. Our NHS staff and ambulance are doing everything they can, but people’s lives are at risk when ambulance response times are so poor.

“Week after week I hear stories of people waiting hours for an ambulance, hours for treatment in A&E and even being treated in the back of ambulances sat outside our hospitals.

“The Welsh Labour Government is failing time and again to address the crisis in our NHS.”

A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “As the health service continues to recover from the pandemic, and more people are coming forward with health concerns, we have seen the highest number of referrals for a first outpatient appointment since January 2020, with just over 115,000 referrals made in March. This increase in referrals helps to explain why the total waiting lists size increased by 1.4% on the previous month. It should be noted that activity levels for treatment and outpatients are at their highest level since the start of the pandemic.

“The number of outpatients appointments in March, was the highest since January 2020 (255,384). On top of this the numbers of inpatient and day case treatments, were the highest since the start of the pandemic.

“The number of patient pathways closed in March, that is people who have started or no longer require treatment, was the highest since the start of the pandemic, 1.7% more per day on average than in February.

“While the total numbers waiting for diagnostic tests continues to increase, the numbers waiting over the 8 weeks target decreased for the second month in a row to their lowest level since April 2021 and by 4.9% compared to February 2022.

“March also saw the highest level of activity in cancer services since December 2020. There was a 12.4% increase in the number of people starting their first treatment following a new cancer diagnosis, compared to the previous month. 12,643 pathways were closed following patients being informed they did not have cancer, an increase of 11.1% on February 2022.

“The Planned Care Recovery Plan published last month set out a series of ambitions. The first ambition was to reduce the number of open pathways waiting over 52 weeks for a first outpatient appointment to zero by the end of 2022.
In In March 2022, the number of pathways waiting over 52 weeks for the first outpatient appointment decreased by 1% compared to February.

“In March 2022, the number of pathways waiting over 52 weeks decreased by 4.8% compared to March 2021.

“Despite the percentage of patient pathways waiting more than 36 weeks increasing in March, the average time waiting for treatment fell and the proportion waiting less than 26 weeks increased.”

“This month sees the first publication of 111 data since the service was rolled out across Wales. In April almost 86,000 calls were made to the 111 service, an average of 2,863 calls per day. The service is run by the Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust and can be accessed online at 111.wales.nhs.uk or by telephone by calling 111, will give people up-to-date health advice and guidance on which NHS service is right for them.

“999 emergency ambulance and emergency department staff and services remain under considerable pressure and performance is not where we want it to be. Our Six Goals for urgent and emergency care programme has been launched to support improvements in outcomes and experience by helping staff to deliver the right care, in the right place, first time whenever possible.

“There was a decrease in average daily attendances to emergency departments in April, and a slight improvement in performance against the targets. The number of life threating ‘red’ calls remains high, increasing by 36% when compared to the same month in 2021. There is a live national delivery plan in place to support continuous improvement, including in support of tackling ambulance patient handover delays.

“It is important to note that during March nearly 400,000 patient consultations were seen by the NHS in Wales for emergency or elective treatment.”

Health

‘Truly abysmal’ – Welsh NHS waiting list hits new record high

Published

11 hours ago

January 23, 2025

Tom Sinclair

THE LATEST NHS statistics paint a bleak picture of healthcare in Wales, with waiting lists reaching an unprecedented 802,268 patient pathways in November—marking the tenth consecutive month of increases. These figures have sparked widespread criticism, with opposition parties and healthcare charities lambasting the Welsh Labour Government for its handling of the crisis.

***The latest figures have sparked widespread criticism of the Welsh Government (Pic: File)***

Waiting lists and emergency care in decline

The 802,268 patient pathways recorded represent more than one in four of the Welsh population. Behind this staggering number lies a harsh reality for patients. The median waiting time has now climbed to 23 weeks, a stark contrast to the 14-week average in England. For those waiting more than two years for treatment, the figure has risen again to 24,361. This is a glaring failure considering Labour’s repeated promises to eliminate two-year waits by 2023 and 2024—targets that remain unmet.

Emergency departments also continue to struggle. The percentage of patients seen within four hours has dropped to 64.8%, well below the target of 95%. In December, 10,857 patients waited more than 12 hours for care, an 11% increase from the previous month. Only 47.6% of red calls, the most serious emergency cases, received an ambulance response within eight minutes in December.

***Ambulances waiting to off load patients outside Withybush Hospital A&E in Haverfordwest (Pic: Herald)***

Cancer treatment performance falls short

Cancer services are in an equally dire state. The performance against the critical 62-day target for starting cancer treatment has fallen to just 60.2%—far below the 75% benchmark. While Health Secretary Jeremy Miles highlights incremental progress, including a reduction in long waits for diagnostics and therapies, critics argue this is too little, too late.

James Evans MS, Welsh Conservative Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, called the statistics “truly abysmal,” adding:
“People are dying unnecessarily across Wales. Families are losing loved ones prematurely, and NHS staff morale is plummeting. The Welsh Labour Government has broken the NHS and continues to fail those who depend on it.”

Welsh Government defends record

***Defending the NHS – Jeremy Miles said more money had been made available (Image: File)***

In response, Jeremy Miles pointed to recent funding increases and measures to address long waits. He highlighted a £50 million investment aimed at improving outpatient services and diagnostics, alongside a decline in delayed hospital discharges over the last four months.

“The health service in Wales continues to provide quality care to thousands of people every day, despite immense pressures from winter illnesses, including Covid-19 and flu,” said Mr Miles. “These figures do not yet reflect the impact of our latest investments, but I am confident that we will see improvements in the coming months.”

Charities demand action on cancer

***There have been several protests against closure of services in Pembrokeshire (Pic Herald)***

Cancer charities have voiced their frustration over the slow progress in improving treatment waiting times. Kate Seymour, Head of External Affairs at Macmillan Cancer Support, described the current state of cancer care as “woefully inadequate.” She criticized the lack of strong national leadership and urged the Welsh Government to implement the recommendations of Audit Wales’s recent report on cancer services.

“The latest data shows real people are facing agonizing delays, unsure if they have cancer or when their treatment will start,” said Ms Seymour. “People in Wales with cancer deserve better.”

Judi Rhys MBE, Chief Executive of Tenovus Cancer Care, echoed these concerns, describing the findings of the Audit Wales report as “deeply disappointing.” She highlighted the lack of progress on stubbornly long waiting times for certain cancer types, including gynaecological cancers.

Political fallout

***There has been heated discussion in the Senedd over NHS service delivery (Image: File)***

The political repercussions have been swift. Last week, the Welsh Conservatives tabled a motion in the Senedd, calling for the immediate implementation of Audit Wales’s ten recommendations to improve cancer services. The motion criticized the Welsh Labour Government for its failure to meet national performance targets since 2020 and accused it of undermining its own Cancer Improvement Plan through poor communication and unclear priorities.

Labour members, however, voted against the motion, prompting sharp criticism from James Evans MS, who called the vote “shameful.”

“The Welsh Labour Government has broken the NHS, is out of ideas, and is on its way out of office. We stand ready to fix Wales,” said Mr Evans.

The human cost

***Some patients are saying that they have been in pain whilst awaiting operations (Pic: NHS)***

For patients and families across Wales, these statistics are more than just numbers—they represent painful realities. Behind every delay is someone anxiously waiting for a diagnosis or treatment, often with life-altering implications.

One such patient, Rhian Davies from Newport, has been waiting over two years for a hip replacement. “The pain is unbearable, and it’s getting worse,” she said. “I can’t believe I’ve been left to wait this long. It feels like they’ve forgotten about us.”

As pressure mounts on the Welsh Labour Government, health experts and opposition parties are united in their call for urgent reform. Whether the latest investments and strategies will be enough to reverse the downward spiral remains to be seen. For now, the people of Wales continue to endure a healthcare crisis that shows little sign of abating.

Health

More than 400,000 visit pharmacies for common health issues

Published

2 days ago

January 21, 2025

Tom Sinclair

THE WELSH public is being encouraged to visit local pharmacies for free advice and treatment for a wide range of illnesses. New figures reveal that over 400,000 people used the Common Ailments Service in the past year alone.

Pharmacies offer convenient access to healthcare professionals, often without the need for an appointment, freeing up GP slots for those with more complex or urgent medical needs.

Common ailments service

Available in 99% of pharmacies across Wales, the service provides free, confidential advice and treatments for 28 common illnesses, such as sore throats and urinary tract infections. Since its launch in 2013, it has supported nearly 1.25 million people.

Around 220 pharmacies now offer the Pharmacist Independent Prescribing Service, allowing pharmacists to treat conditions such as ear, skin, and respiratory infections, sinusitis, and migraines.

A survey found that 95% of patients who used the service would have otherwise sought help from a GP or other healthcare provider.

Prescribing services expanding

Each year, up to 100 community pharmacists in Wales undertake prescribing training. From 2026, all newly qualified pharmacists will be registered prescribers, enhancing the range of services available at local pharmacies.

Primary care reforms

The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Jeremy Miles, highlighted ongoing reforms to deliver more care closer to home during a statement to the Senedd.

Key statistics include:

GPs handle around 100,000 calls and 68,000 appointments daily.
Optometrists conduct over 2,000 consultations each month.
More than 420,000 new dental patients have been treated since April 2022.
District nurses see approximately 31,000 patients each month, equating to 1% of Wales’ population.

Comments from key figures

Health Secretary Jeremy Miles said:
“We know there is very high demand for GP services in Wales, with around 1.6 million people contacting their practice each month.

“For most common health concerns, your local pharmacy is the best option, providing free and easy access to treatment.

“We are working with the NHS to provide more care in the community, closer to people’s homes, and to make it easier for people to choose the right service for their health needs.”

Gwawr Davies-Jones, a pharmacist at High Street Pharmacy in Barry, added:
“Since the new pharmacy contract was implemented in 2022, our role has changed considerably. Instead of being in the dispensary, we are now in the consultation room for most of the day, offering clinical services.

“On average, we carry out more than 20 consultations daily, from providing contraception to emergency medicine supplies.

“The demand for advice on common conditions is great, giving pharmacists an opportunity to share advice and treatment, including prescribing antibiotics and other prescription-only medicines without the need to see a GP. This helps free up much-needed appointments for more complex conditions.

“We feel we offer an invaluable service to our community. The services we provide alleviate pressures on the NHS, giving pharmacists great satisfaction knowing they are making a difference.”

Supporting NHS pressures

Pharmacies in Wales offer treatment for 28 common illnesses under the Common Ailments Service. Many also provide emergency contraception, annual flu vaccinations, and regular contraception services.

The Welsh Government has significantly supported this service expansion, increasing its investment by 24% since 2016-17, with an additional £9.9 million allocated this year.

***Cabinet Secretary Jeremy Miles visited High Street Pharmacy in Barry today to meet pharmacist Gwawr Davies-Jones.***

Health

Lymphoedema patients to benefit from online mental health support

Published

2 days ago

January 21, 2025

Tom Sinclair

NHS Wales’ digital wellbeing service has teamed up with a pioneering clinic to help patients manage the mental health impacts of Lymphoedema and Lipalgia Syndrome.

The Lymphoedema Wales Clinical Network (LWCN) established a psychological support service – the only one of its kind in the UK – after patients spoke of the emotional challenges of living with these conditions.

Patients revealed how their physical symptoms were often accompanied by depression, anxiety and worries about appearance.

Support offered by the service’s two psychologists is now being complemented by direct referrals to SilverCloud® Wales, a suite of online, self-help courses based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).

Dr Jayne Williams, National Lymphoedema Consultant Psychologist for LWCN said: “This is an exciting time for us.

“We’re looking at different ways for people to access psychological therapies – SilverCloud being one of them. The aim is to provide timely, preventative support before people get to crisis point.

“As SilverCloud is online, it has the capacity to reach many more people than we could see face-to-face, and its flexibility means that it fits around busy work and family lives.

“Being able to offer something that patients can do in their own way, at their own pace is brilliant.”

NHS Wales online CBT project manager Fionnuala Clayton said the new referral pathway was inspired in part by feedback from a ‘Living Well with Lymphoedema’ event hosted by LWCN, where patients were asked what they would like from its emerging psychology service.

“Patients wanted to feel as though they were not alone and that they still had a healthy and happy life despite their condition,” said Fionnuala. “They wanted easy access to support for building resilience alongside help to help themselves.

“Coming away from the event, we knew a referral pathway would support many patients across Wales.”

Lipalgia Syndrome – also known as Lipoedema – is an abnormal build-up of adipose fatty tissue, usually in the lower half of the body, which more commonly affects women.

Lymphoedema is another incurable, long-term condition which develops due to a damaged or poorly-functioning lymphatic system. Damage can occur as a result of many factors including obesity, surgery, cancer treatment, infection or injury.

People who are sedentary are particularly vulnerable as the lymphatic system relies on movement to remain healthy and move the lymph fluid around the body. Symptoms include swollen and painful heavy limbs and a higher risk of skin infections and wounds.

Said Dr Williams: “These are conditions that people have to learn to live alongside forever, which can be incredibly difficult.

“They have to cope with swelling and pain, they may have to wear compression bandages or garments, carry out daily skin care routines and do lots of movement.

“We see lots of people with very low mood. There’s also a lot of anxiety around body image and intimacy.

“Feeling people are judging you, and perhaps not being able to find clothes or shoes that fit you, means your whole identity and your social confidence can be affected. You can feel more isolated and withdrawn.”

Around 25,000 people across Wales use LWCN services.

Local health board lymphoedema services can refer people to the psychology service within the National Lymphoedema Team, which is hosted by Swansea Bay University Health Board.

Dr Williams said several patients had been referred to SilverCloud’s Space for Positive Body Image programme after attending a body image workshop.

Other courses on offer include support for anxiety, depression and stress.

Anyone in Wales aged 16 or over can self-refer to SilverCloud, without seeing a GP and from the comfort of their own home.

Fionnuala Clayton added: “We’re delighted to onboard the Lymphoedema Wales Clinical Network. This has been a collaborative effort between services, working together to identify how best support patients living with Lipalgia Syndrome and Lymphoedema.”

For further information and support on Lymphoedema and Lipalgia Syndrome, visit https://lwcn.nhs.wales/

To self-refer to SilverCloud Wales, visit https://nhswales.silvercloudhealth.com/signup/