Health
NHS performance: Ambulances tied up as hospitals burst at the seams
- A NEW set of Welsh NHS performance data was released today (Thursday, June 20), and it contains more bad news.
The Welsh Government described the data as “disappointing”.
WG “LACKS GRIP” ON FUNDAMENTALS
Sam Rowlands MS, the Conservatives’ Shadow Health Minister, said: “These atrocious statistics show that the NHS is going backwards under Labour.
“Two-year waiting lists have increased for the first time in two years.
“Keir Starmer has called Labour-run Wales his blueprint for what a UK Labour Government would look like: these figures are a stark warning for the whole UK.”
Mabon ap Gwynfor MS, Plaid Cymru’s health spokesperson, said: “Labour’s complete mismanagement of the NHS in Wales has left us with waiting lists at the highest on record, targets for diagnosis and treatment are being consistently missed, and people are getting stranded in A&E departments for hours on end.
“It’s no wonder that we have such astronomical waiting times when the government has failed to deal with problems in primary care and social care.
“Until the government gets to grip with these fundamental problems, then waiting lists will continue to climb.”
A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “We have made it a priority to reduce long waiting times, and today, the Cabinet Secretary for Health met with health board chairs to instruct them to redouble their efforts to tackle these.
“These figures show the NHS is continuing to manage incredible demand for urgent and emergency care – the number of immediately life-threatening 999 calls in May was 25% higher than the previous year, and demand is nearly two-and-a-half times higher than pre-pandemic levels.”

THE LOCAL PICTURE: HOSPITALS
Over 30% of patients waiting to start treatment in the Hywel Dda UHB area have been waiting for over 36 weeks.
The Health Board has the second-highest proportion of the population waiting to start therapy. In practical terms, that means that around 4,000 people are yet to get the therapy they need.
The number of patients told they did not have it fell. However, the number of patients starting treatment has remained stable for years.
With rising demand for cancer diagnosis and treatment and no improvement in the numbers starting treatment, performance against the target for treating cancer dropped.
At least 75% of patients should start treatment within 62 days of first being suspected of cancer.
Only 42% of cancer patients in the Hywel Dda UHB area started treatment within the target time. To meet a revised target of 80% by 2026, Hywel Dda UHB will have to increase its performance by almost 100%.
The Welsh Government’s performance target for patients waiting to start treatment for less than 26 weeks is 95%.
No Health Board is close to meeting that target, although Hywel Dda UHB is the second-best performer—just over 50% of patients start treatment within six months.
Despite a dramatic fall in the number of inpatient beds in Hywel Dda UHB’s hospitals over the last six years, the number of inpatient admissions rose sharply in April, placing even greater pressure on chronically overstretched staff and resources.

THE LOCAL PICTURE: AMBULANCES
The percentage of red emergency calls being met within eight minutes fell across Wales.
The ambulance performance target is for 65% of all red calls to be attended to within eight minutes.
Across Wales in May, there were 5,110 red (life-threatening) calls to the ambulance service, 13.9% of all calls.
45.8% of red calls received an emergency response within eight minutes, 2.2 percentage points lower than in April.
In the Hywel Dda UHB area, 47.6% of red calls received an emergency response within 8 minutes, compared to a sharply reduced number of calls in the red category.
Examining more detailed data for the Hywel Dda UHB area demonstrates the pressure on emergency hospital admissions and the knock-on effect on the ambulance service.
When an ambulance takes a patient to hospital, admission is supposed to take place within 15 minutes of arrival, with the ambulance returning to service 15 minutes after that.
In the Hywel Dda UHB area, ambulances were tied up beyond those markers for almost 4,000 hours beyond expected admission and return to on-call.
Fewer than 18% of patients conveyed to a Major Injury Department were admitted within 15 minutes. For Major Acute Units, that turnaround was even worse, at barely 15.5%.
Once cleared, however, well over 80% of ambulances were back out on call.
Diving deeper into the data, we see that just over 1,700 patients travelled by ambulance to major emergency, major acute, and maternity and mental health units.
By a very crude piece of arithmetic, we can calculate that if those 1700 patients accounted for the 4000 hours of “lost time”, the handover stats would be even more shocking, with an average turnover of over two hours.
Moreover, localised data shows that 35.6% of all people who are attended by an ambulance go to a hospital using other means of transport.
A CRISIS ACROSS THE BOARD
The issue could not be clearer: delays at hospitals are keeping ambulances off the road.
The upward pressure on A&E services caused by the collapse of out-of-hours primary care (GPs, etc) is driving up attendance at all hospital A&Es.
The lack of beds is driving up a backlog of treatment. The lack of clinical staff means more junior staff fulfil tasks -including initial diagnoses- formerly taken by clinicians and registered nurses. Consolidating rural services on an urban model is making things worse.
Whatever the cure for the disastrous condition of the Welsh NHS, money will not be enough to turn around decades of decline.
Health
Decision pending on adult mental health referral pathway
HYWEL DDA University Health Board will decide next week whether to make changes to the GP referral pathway for routine adult mental health services permanent.
The decision will be taken at a public Board meeting on Thursday (Mar 26).
Board members will consider a proposal to formalise changes already introduced in Ceredigion and, if approved, roll out the revised pathway across Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire.
Since March 2025, adults in Ceredigion seeking routine mental health support have been advised by their GP to contact the NHS 111 Wales ‘Press 2’ service, rather than being referred directly to the county’s Community Mental Health Team.
The temporary change was introduced in response to ongoing staffing shortages. Health Board officials say the approach has helped maintain timely access to face-to-face assessments for those who need them, while directing initial contact through a single access point.
The 111 ‘Press 2’ service provides telephone assessments by local wellbeing practitioners, supervised by registered mental health nurses, offering advice, support and onward referrals where required.
At its November 2025 meeting, the Board agreed to extend the temporary pathway until the end of March 2026. A nine-week engagement exercise followed, running from December 8 to February 9, to gather feedback from patients, professionals and stakeholders on the potential long-term impact.
Andrew Carruthers, Chief Operating Officer at Hywel Dda University Health Board, said: “I would like to thank everyone who took the time to share their views and experiences.
“I would also like to thank West Wales Action for Mental Health for supporting engagement with patients, including those with lived experience, alongside GPs, primary care teams, mental health staff and third sector partners.
“Our priority is to ensure mental health services remain accessible, fair and sustainable. The temporary changes in Ceredigion have shown some positive benefits, and the feedback we have received from across the three counties will play an important role in shaping the Board’s decision.”
The Board will review all evidence and feedback before making a final decision on the future of the adult mental health referral pathway.
GPs will continue to refer patients with urgent or complex needs directly to community mental health teams where appropriate, and have access to a dedicated NHS 111 professional line for additional clinical advice.
Further details, including the full Board papers, are available here:
https://biphdd.gig.cymru/amdanom-ni/eich-bwrdd-iechyd/cyfarfodydd-y-bwrdd-2026/agenda-a-phapuraur-bwrdd-26-mawrth-2026/
The meeting will be streamed live from 9:30am on Thursday (Mar 26) via:
www.youtube.com/hywelddahealthboard1
Health
Parents urged to check children’s vaccinations after meningitis cases
Local pharmacy reports MenB vaccine shortage amid rising concern
PARENTS and carers across west Wales are being urged to check their children’s vaccination status following recent meningitis cases in the UK.
The warning comes as a local pharmacy has confirmed a shortage of the Meningitis B (MenB) vaccine, highlighting growing pressure on supplies.
Mendus Pharmacy said it currently has no availability of the vaccine due to what it described as a nationwide supply issue.

In a statement, the pharmacy said: “We would like to inform our patients that, due to ongoing supply issues, we currently have no availability of the Meningitis B vaccine.
“Unfortunately, this is a nationwide shortage and all stock is currently unavailable.
“We understand this may be particularly concerning given the recent outbreak reported in Kent, and we completely appreciate the importance of timely vaccination.”
The pharmacy confirmed it is operating a waiting list and will contact patients once supplies return.
Health officials say keeping vaccinations up to date remains one of the most effective ways to prevent serious illness and reduce pressure on NHS services.
Dr Ardiana Gjini, Executive Director of Public Health at Hywel Dda University Health Board, urged parents to act.
She said: “Vaccination is one of the most effective ways we can protect children and young people from serious illness.
“Ensuring your child is fully vaccinated not only safeguards their health but also helps prevent the spread of infections within our communities.
“I strongly encourage all parents and carers to check their child’s vaccination status. If you are concerned that your child may have missed routine vaccinations, please speak to your GP.”
Meningococcal disease is a serious and potentially life-threatening infection that can lead to meningitis or septicaemia. While many people recover, some are left with long-term physical, neurological or psychological complications. Around one in ten cases can be fatal.
Although the disease can affect anyone, babies, young children, teenagers and young adults are at greatest risk.
In Wales, vaccines protecting against meningococcal strains A, B, C, W and Y are offered as part of the NHS immunisation programme. Infants receive the MenB vaccine, while teenagers are offered the MenACWY vaccine.
Latest figures from the Health Board show that uptake among 16-year-olds for the MenACWY vaccine stands at 76.4%, meaning a significant number of young people remain unprotected as they approach adulthood.
For younger children, uptake of the MenB vaccine is higher but still below the recommended 95% target. Around 92.8% of infants are vaccinated by their first birthday, rising slightly to 91.8% by their second.
Health officials say these figures reflect strong engagement from families and primary care teams but stress that continued vigilance is needed.
Families are being advised to check their child’s vaccination record with their GP or by contacting the Health Board directly. Parents should also ensure babies receive their scheduled MenB doses and that teenagers receive their MenACWY and 3-in-1 booster vaccines, which are currently being delivered in schools.
Parents are also urged to remain alert to the symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia and to seek urgent medical advice if they have concerns.
Further information on symptoms is available via NHS 111 Wales.
Health
NHS ‘on brink of collapse’ during Covid as inquiry exposes failures
Wales warned to act fast as damning report reveals staff trauma, delayed care and deadly gaps
THE UK’s healthcare system came perilously close to collapse during the Covid-19 pandemic, a major public inquiry has found, with Wales now facing pressure to act on urgent recommendations.
A landmark report published on Thursday (Mar 19) lays bare the scale of the crisis, concluding that hospitals across the UK – including in Wales – were pushed to “intolerable strain”, with some patients receiving lower levels of care and others left untreated altogether.
The findings come as First Minister Eluned Morgan welcomed the report and confirmed the Welsh Government will respond within six months.

System “ill-prepared” for pandemic
The inquiry found the UK entered the pandemic in a weakened state, with staff shortages, too few hospital beds, and ageing infrastructure already placing pressure on services.
Healthcare systems “coped, but only just,” the report states, warning that collapse was only avoided due to the “almost superhuman efforts” of NHS staff.
Many workers suffered severe mental health impacts, with burnout and post-traumatic stress widespread across the workforce.
Patients died alone
Among the most distressing findings was the impact of strict hospital visiting rules.
Thousands of patients died without family by their side, while relatives were often forced to say goodbye over the phone or by text.
The report highlights how restrictions, though intended to save lives, caused lasting trauma for families across Wales and the UK.

Missed treatment and cancer delays
The inquiry also exposes the devastating knock-on effect on non-Covid care.
Planned operations were cancelled, screening programmes paused, and patients avoided hospitals out of fear – leading to delayed diagnoses and, in some cases, avoidable deaths.
Cancer treatment performance worsened, with late diagnoses contributing to increased mortality.
“Fundamental flaws” in response
Investigators identified serious failings in how the pandemic was handled, including:
- Early guidance that underestimated airborne transmission
- Shortages of PPE, leaving staff exposed
- Poor communication with vulnerable patients
- Inadequate planning for emergency and critical care capacity
These issues, the report says, put both patients and staff at greater risk.

NHS 111 and ambulances overwhelmed
Emergency systems also struggled to cope.
Demand for NHS 111 surged beyond capacity, while ambulance delays increased – even for life-threatening calls.
The report warns future pandemics could see similar failures unless urgent reforms are made.
Long Covid and hidden impact
The long-term effects of Covid are still being felt, with inconsistent care for Long Covid patients and ongoing uncertainty around treatment.
Meanwhile, millions of people who needed routine care remain affected by the backlog created during the pandemic.

Welsh Government response
First Minister Eluned Morgan said the Welsh Government would respond “openly and constructively” to the findings.
She acknowledged the significant impact on patients, staff and families and confirmed Wales will address the inquiry’s recommendations within the required six-month timeframe.
Urgent warnings for the future
The inquiry makes ten key recommendations, including:
- Expanding hospital and emergency capacity
- Improving infection control guidance
- Strengthening support for healthcare workers
- Better data systems to identify vulnerable patients
It warns that without action, the NHS may not withstand the next pandemic.
“We may not be so lucky next time”
In one of the report’s starkest conclusions, Baroness Hallett warned that healthcare systems came dangerously close to failure.
If the crisis had lasted longer – or hit harder – the NHS could have collapsed entirely.
The message is clear: Wales and the UK must prepare now, or risk repeating the same mistakes.
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