MORE than nine in ten care services in Wales have achieved high standards under a new ratings system introduced earlier this year, according to figures published by the Welsh Government.

In the first seven months since the system was introduced in April, Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW) carried out 578 inspections of care homes and domiciliary support services, with ratings published for 566 of them.

The system assesses services across four key areas — wellbeing, leadership and management, care and support, and environment — with individual ratings issued for each theme rather than a single overall score.

Between April and October 2025, CIW awarded a total of 2,115 ratings. Of these, 1,958 — representing 92.5% — were judged to be either “excellent” or “good”, presenting what the Welsh Government described as a consistently positive picture of care provision across Wales.

Ministers say the ratings are designed to support continuous improvement within the care sector while helping families better understand the quality of care being provided.

The system has also been welcomed by providers, with feedback suggesting the inspection process is thorough, transparent and focused on supporting services to improve.

The Minister for Children and Social Care, Dawn Bowden said: “These results demonstrate the exceptional dedication and professionalism of care providers across Wales.

“It’s positive to see over nine in ten ratings show our services are delivering excellent or good care to some of our most vulnerable people.

“The new ratings system provides transparency and clarity for families making important decisions about care, while also highlighting areas of excellence and encouraging the sector to continue improving.”

Chief Inspector of Care Inspectorate Wales, Gillian Baranski added: “I am incredibly proud of what these ratings reveal about care in Wales.

“These results are a testament to the dedication of care staff across the country who make a real difference to people’s lives every day.

“The new ratings system is designed to recognise excellence while also supporting services to improve, and we remain committed to working alongside providers to help deliver the high-quality care people in Wales deserve.”

ONE in seven patients waited more than twelve hours as doctors warn system is beyond breaking point

Emergency departments across Wales experienced their worst November on record for four-, eight- and twelve-hour waiting times, according to new figures released by the Welsh Government.

Data published on Thursday (Dec 18) show that 10,107 patients — around one in seven people attending major emergency departments — waited twelve hours or more in November 2025 to be admitted, discharged or transferred.

The Royal College of Emergency Medicine (RCEM) said the figures underline a deepening crisis in hospital care, warning that extreme delays are placing vulnerable patients at serious risk of harm.

The statistics also reveal a sharp deterioration compared with previous years. The number of patients waiting more than four hours has almost doubled since November 2018, while those waiting eight hours or more have more than doubled. Twelve-hour waits have doubled again over the same period.

Doctors say the figures reflect pressures already evident before winter took hold — and warn conditions have worsened further in recent weeks.

RCEM vice president for Wales, Dr Rob Perry, said the latest data had set “yet another unwanted record”.

He said: “These figures reflect what we experienced on the brink of winter. Fast forward to today and the situation in our emergency departments has only deteriorated.

“As you read this, sick and vulnerable patients are on trolleys parked side by side to maximise space, both in emergency departments and in corridors, enduring these conditions for hours and hours.”

Dr Perry said delays are being driven by a lack of available hospital beds, with patients unable to move on to wards even when emergency clinicians have completed their assessments.

“And the wait will only continue for those needing further care on a ward, as staff search for an elusive bed,” he said.

The figures also show that 1,455 patients were stuck in hospital despite being medically fit for discharge. While this represents a slight improvement of 1.2% compared with November 2024, doctors say the number remains unacceptably high.

The RCEM said blocked hospital beds are a symptom of wider problems beyond emergency departments, particularly in social care.

Dr Perry added: “The solutions lie outside the walls of emergency departments. Social care must be a priority for investment next year, so patients who are well enough can leave hospital, freeing up beds for those who desperately need them.”

The warning comes weeks after the RCEM published its political manifesto ahead of the 2026 Senedd elections, calling on all parties to commit to ending overcrowding in emergency departments, improving staffing levels, investing in digital systems and increasing transparency around performance data.

Dr Perry said the past year had taken a heavy toll on staff working in emergency medicine.

“It’s been an incredibly tough year for those trying to care for patients in beyond challenging conditions,” he said. “But the worst is yet to come as we head deeper into winter.

“We will get through this, as we always do. And to our patients — we will continue to be there for you when you need us most.”

The Welsh Government has previously acknowledged ongoing pressures in emergency care and said work is continuing to improve patient flow through hospitals, including efforts to strengthen community and social care services.

HYWEL DDA University Health Board has expressed gratitude to local residents after nearly 2,000 people across Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, and Pembrokeshire shared their views in a major public engagement exercise to refresh its long-term health and care strategy.

The nine-week consultation, which concluded recently, focused on what matters most to people for living healthy lives. The Health Board posed 11 key questions centred on staying well, accessing care, and desired local improvements—including healthcare facilities, community support, and digital services.

These questions were built around four core themes derived from earlier summer feedback:

1. A Social Model for Health and Wellbeing – Exploring how local areas and support networks help people remain healthy.
2. Digital Healthcare Support – How technology can make care more accessible and user-friendly.
3. Balancing Hospital and Community Care – Prioritising wellness within communities.
4. Clinical Services and Hospital Redevelopment – Key priorities for upgrading buildings and healthcare spaces.

The collected feedback will be published in January 2026 and will inform an updated version of the Healthier Mid and West Wales strategy, originally launched in 2018. The core ambitions—enabling people to live healthier lives for longer—remain unchanged, but the refresh will incorporate evolving clinical practices, technological advances, and shifts in how services are used.

Lee Davies, Executive Director of Strategy and Planning, said: “Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to share their views. The direction of travel remains as per our 2018 strategy, so we want to reassure people that this is not a radical change of direction but rather a refinement in how we deliver the strategy.

“Your feedback is helping us reshape our strategy so that it continues to reflect the priorities of the people we serve, and the changes in clinical practice.”

Participants highlighted the vital role of communities, with many emphasising reliance on family and friends for wellbeing and connection. Timely access to GP services emerged as a priority, alongside challenges in travelling to appointments in rural areas with limited public transport. There were also calls for simple, inclusive digital solutions, acknowledging varying levels of technology access and accessibility needs.

At its November public board meeting, the Health Board reviewed progress on the strategy refresh. It also received updates on a new Primary and Community Care Strategic Plan, shaped by further engagement including drop-in events and questionnaires, due for presentation in January 2026.

Additionally, discussions covered a Welsh Government request for an addendum to the 2022 Programme Business Case, examining scenarios for estate improvements and alignment with the national A Healthier Wales strategy, which promotes more community-based care closer to home.

A draft refreshed strategy will be presented to the Board in January 2026 for approval, followed by publication in accessible formats. The Health Board pledged ongoing community involvement, with more opportunities to contribute.

For more details on the engagement process and updates, visit: https://www.haveyoursay.hduhb.wales.nhs.uk/our-strategy