Health

NHS waiting lists falling — but west Wales faces fresh healthcare uncertainty

Published

3 hours ago

May 21, 2026

Improving treatment figures welcomed, but local concerns grow over pharmacy changes, service reorganisation and access to care

WAITING times across NHS Wales are continuing to improve, according to the latest national figures — but patients in west Wales may question whether those improvements are being felt on the ground as concerns continue over changing local services, pharmacy provision and healthcare access.

New figures released by the Welsh Government show there were just under 666,700 referral-to-treatment patient pathways waiting to start treatment in March — down by around 21,300 compared with February and the lowest level recorded since August 2021.

It marks the tenth consecutive month that waiting lists have fallen, while the proportion of pathways waiting less than 26 weeks rose to 65.9 per cent — the highest figure since May 2020.

The average waiting time for treatment also dropped to 15.5 weeks, the lowest level since April 2020.

However, despite the improving national picture, NHS leaders have warned that Wales remains under significant pressure and that progress must not mask wider challenges facing the health service.

Responding to the figures, the Welsh NHS Confederation said scheduled care was “going in the right direction” but cautioned that emergency pressures, social care pressures and financial constraints remain major concerns.

The organisation’s director, Darren Hughes, said NHS leaders were ready to work with the new Welsh Government as part of its first 100 days in office, but stressed that reforms would require difficult decisions and honest conversations with the public.

He said: “While it’s not a perfect picture across the board, with high demand on urgent and emergency care, scheduled care waits continue to go in the right direction.

“Now is the time to build on this progress and make further inroads into the backlog of care that has built up in recent years.”

But for many people in Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion, improving national statistics may feel at odds with the reality of healthcare closer to home.

Recent changes affecting community pharmacy provision, alongside continuing concerns over access to services, travel distances and healthcare reorganisation within the Hywel Dda University Health Board area, have left some residents questioning whether NHS recovery is being experienced equally across Wales.

Community pharmacy provision has become an increasing concern locally following recent changes affecting some chemist services, raising fears over access to medication and frontline healthcare support — particularly in rural areas where alternatives may involve lengthy travel.

At the same time, debates around the future location of services, staffing shortages and the long-term sustainability of care in west Wales continue to generate concern among patients and campaigners.

For many residents, the NHS debate is no longer only about waiting times — but whether services remain accessible in the first place.

The figures also require some caution. NHS waiting-list totals are measured in “patient pathways” rather than individual patients, meaning one person can appear on the list more than once if waiting for multiple treatments or appointments.

The Welsh NHS Confederation warned that any future improvements would need a “whole-system approach”, involving primary care, community healthcare and social care, alongside action to reduce demand before patients require hospital treatment.

Mr Hughes added that NHS organisations also face tightening budgets and renewed inflationary pressures linked to global events.

He warned: “NHS leaders will need clarity from political leaders on a focused set of priorities and the backing to make the difficult decisions required to reform services, being honest with the public around timelines and expectations.”

Professor Jon Barry, Director in Wales at the Royal College of Surgeons of England (RCS England), said: “The new Welsh Government inherits a significant challenge, and these figures reflect the reality across Wales – long waits, repeated delays, and too many people left in pain.

“There were commitments during the election campaign to develop a clear plan for expanding elective capacity, including early work to establish new surgical hubs across Wales. The priority now is to start delivering on those plans without delay.

“More surgical hubs will help bring down long waits and ensure fewer patients are left dealing with uncertainty and disruption to their daily lives while they wait for treatment.”

The Herald has approached Hywel Dda University Health Board for comment on how improving national waiting-time figures compare with the experience of patients in west Wales, including concerns around pharmacy provision, service changes and access to local care.

The Welsh Government has also been asked what the new administration’s healthcare priorities will mean for communities in rural Wales over the coming months.

Health

Charity funds refurbished gym for mental health patients

Published

4 hours ago

May 21, 2026

Tom Sinclair

PATIENTS at a Carmarthen mental health unit will benefit from a fully refurbished gym thanks to funding from Hywel Dda Health Charities.

The official charity of Hywel Dda University Health Board has awarded £8,902 from its Making a Difference fund to improve facilities at Cwm Seren’s Low Secure Unit and Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit.

The money has been used to replace outdated gym equipment, improve the gym environment, and provide gym instructor training for four members of staff.

The refurbished facility now includes a treadmill, air bike, kettlebells, dumbbells, an Olympic bar and plates, an adjustable bench, squat rack, and protective floor mats. The room has also been repainted, fitted with protective splashback boards, and updated with a new whiteboard to support activity planning.

Health board officials said physical activity plays an important role in supporting patients with mental illness, particularly those who may experience poorer physical health, increased risk of obesity, and limited access to community exercise during inpatient stays.

Caryl Griffiths, Ward Manager at Cwm Seren Low Secure Unit, said: “We are incredibly grateful that kind donations from the local community have funded the refurbishment of the gym, which will make a significant difference to both our patients and staff.

“Daily access to modern gym facilities provides structure, reduces boredom and frustration, and has a positive impact on mood, anxiety, and overall physical health.

“Training additional staff means we can offer the gym seven days a week, ensuring more patients benefit more consistently. We know how much of a difference this makes to people during long periods of inpatient care.”

Nicola Llewelyn, Head of Hywel Dda Health Charities, said: “Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, we are able to fund projects like this that go above and beyond what the NHS can provide.

“The refurbished gym at Cwm Seren will enhance patient experience and support healthier lifestyles. A huge thank you to all our supporters for making this possible.”

Hywel Dda Health Charities funds items and initiatives across Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire to improve patient care and support the wellbeing of NHS staff.

Pictured:

Cwm Seren staff with the new gym equipment.

Health

Nursing students pushed into poverty despite support, RCN Wales warns

Published

1 day ago

May 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

NURSING students in Wales are being forced to choose between food, bills and travelling to clinical placements, the Royal College of Nursing has warned.

The union says existing financial support is no longer enough to meet the real cost of training, with some students taking on extra work, falling into debt or considering leaving their courses altogether.

RCN Wales is calling on the Welsh Government to carry out an urgent review of the true cost of studying nursing.

It wants the current non-means-tested NHS Wales bursary to be protected and increased in line with inflation, alongside a fairer means-tested system which reflects students’ individual circumstances.

Students struggling

The RCN said it is hearing from nursing students across Wales who cannot afford to travel to placements, despite those placements being a compulsory part of their training.

Others are working long hours on top of full-time study and clinical duties, leaving them exhausted and under intense pressure.

A mature student nurse in South Wales said she left a secure full-time healthcare support worker role after almost twenty years to train as a nurse, but the financial impact on her family had been overwhelming.

A student nurse in North Wales said training “takes everything from you emotionally and financially”, with her partner forced to move to night shifts to support the household while she completed placements and university work.

A student midwife in South Wales said she had given up financial security and missed important family events while trying to balance full-time placements, academic work and part-time employment.

‘Devastating loss’

Speaking from Liverpool during RCN Congress, RCN Wales Executive Director Nicola Williams said: “While we welcome the existing non-means-tested bursary, it simply does not go far enough in the current financial climate.

“We are hearing directly from students who cannot afford to get to placements, who are working exhausting hours alongside full-time study, and who are struggling to meet even their most basic needs.

“Some are being penalised by means testing that does not reflect their real circumstances, leaving them without the support they need.

“Students are telling us they feel unable to look after themselves, are experiencing housing insecurity and in some cases are considering leaving their course altogether.

“We cannot allow financial pressures due to the cost-of-living situation to drive future nurses out of the profession before they even qualify. This would be a devastating loss for patients and services across Wales.”

Call for action

RCN Wales warned that without urgent action, financial hardship could worsen existing workforce shortages in NHS Wales.

The union said current funding arrangements do not properly reflect the cost of long and demanding NHS placements.

It is urging the Welsh Government to act now to “care for the future nursing workforce” by ensuring people who want to become nurses are properly supported while they train.

RCN Wales represents around 35,000 nursing staff and students across Wales.

Health

Pharmacy services review launched across west Wales

Published

3 days ago

May 18, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Residents asked to help shape future provision in Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion

PEOPLE across Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion are being asked to give their views on the future of community pharmacy services.

Hywel Dda University Health Board has launched a consultation on its updated draft Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment, which looks at current pharmacy provision, any gaps in services, and what may be needed in future.

Health boards in Wales have been required since October 2021 to publish a Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment. The document must be updated every five years and is used to help guide decisions about how pharmacy services are developed and improved.

The latest draft assessment has been prepared following engagement with community pharmacy contractors and members of the public earlier this year.

The health board is now inviting further feedback before a final version is published later in 2026.

The survey opened on Monday (May 18) and will close on Friday, July 17.

Residents can take part online, pick up a paper copy from their local pharmacy, or request a copy by emailing [email protected] or calling 0300 303 8322 and selecting option five.

Rhian Bond, Assistant Director of Primary Care for Hywel Dda University Health Board, said: “This is an important opportunity for people to share their experiences of community pharmacy services and tell us how they could be improved.

“Community pharmacies play a vital role in supporting people’s health and wellbeing. They are often the first point of contact for advice, treatment and support.

“By providing feedback you can help us ensure services are accessible, effective and meet the needs of communities now and in the future.”

The final Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment will be published later this year on the health board’s website, along with a summary of the feedback received.