Health board admits standards are difficult to meet as doctors warn of “extremely dangerous” shortages

PATIENTS in west Wales are facing worsening delays to cancer diagnosis and treatment as severe staff shortages leave hospitals struggling to meet expected standards of care.

A major new report from the Royal College of Radiologists (RCR) has warned that workforce shortages are now so serious that patients’ conditions are deteriorating while waiting for diagnosis and treatment.

The findings paint a bleak picture for Wales — particularly rural areas — with shortages of specialist cancer and radiology doctors among the worst in the UK.

Now, Hywel Dda University Health Board, which covers Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion, has admitted it is struggling to recruit staff and warned that standards of care are becoming increasingly difficult to maintain.

Staff shortages ‘impacting care’

Responding to questions from The Herald, Hywel Dda said recruiting radiology and oncology clinicians “continues to be a challenge” across west Wales.

James Severs, Executive Director of Allied Health Professions and Health Science at the health board, admitted that staffing shortages are affecting services.

He said: “We are concerned that standards of care, and expected turnaround times are difficult to achieve, including within cancer diagnosis and other emergency conditions, while we have shortages in staff and equipment.”

The health board also confirmed that rising demand for scans, driven by increasing patient numbers and new care pathways, has not been matched by workforce growth.

As a result, Hywel Dda says it has increasingly relied on temporary doctors and external providers to interpret scans.

The admission comes as the Royal College of Radiologists warns Wales is facing an escalating crisis in diagnostic and cancer services.

Conditions worsening while patients wait

For the first time, every radiology department leader in Wales told the RCR they were aware of patients whose conditions had worsened because of staff shortages and delays to diagnosis.

The report found NHS Wales currently has 88 fewer consultant radiologists than needed — a shortfall of 28 per cent — and 13 fewer consultant clinical oncologists, representing a 17 per cent shortage.

Without urgent intervention, the situation is expected to worsen dramatically by 2030.

The crisis is especially acute in north and west Wales, where the radiologist shortage stands at 42 per cent — almost double that of south Wales.

The RCR warned this risks creating a “postcode lottery” in access to life-saving diagnosis and cancer care.

Waiting lists growing

The scale of delays is already stark.

In December 2025, nearly 47,000 people in Wales had waited more than eight weeks for a diagnostic scan or test.

During 2025, almost 10,000 patients waited more than 62 days to begin treatment for suspected cancer — far below the Welsh Government’s own targets.

Doctors warn that delays in diagnosis can have devastating consequences, particularly for cancer patients, where survival rates can worsen significantly with every month treatment is delayed.

One cancer service leader quoted anonymously in the report said: “Delays in patients starting both chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment” were directly linked to workforce shortages.

Another warned: “Workforce shortages in diagnostics especially radiology and pathology are critical and lengthening pathways which is leading to patient harm.”

‘Alarm bells should be ringing’

Dr Stephen Harden, President of the Royal College of Radiologists, said governments could no longer ignore the warning signs.

“For the first time, our census shows that patients’ conditions are deteriorating because of workforce shortages,” he said.

“Delays to diagnosis and cancer treatment are extremely dangerous, particularly in deprived and rural communities where shortages are worst.

“Alarm bells should be ringing. Without urgent action to train, recruit and retain more doctors, more patients will suffer.”

Millions spent on sticking plasters

Despite chronic shortages, the RCR said recruitment freezes in Welsh radiology departments have almost doubled in a year — rising from 33 per cent in 2024 to 57 per cent in 2025.

At the same time, NHS Wales spent £13.5 million last year on temporary fixes including locum doctors, overtime and outsourcing scans to private firms — enough to pay the salaries of 113 consultant radiologists.

Critics say the system is becoming trapped in an expensive cycle of firefighting rather than solving the root problem.

Hywel Dda said radiology was identified as one of nine services needing reform under its Clinical Services Plan and pointed to ongoing recruitment and training efforts.

The Welsh Government has been approached for comment.

School leaders warn delay could push pay rise into New Year as ministers refuse to explain decision

A MAJOR row has erupted over teachers’ pay after the Welsh Government delayed publication of an independent pay review report until September, prompting accusations from education leaders that ministers are treating staff with “disrespect”.

NAHT Cymru, which represents school leaders across Wales, has condemned the move as “completely unnecessary” and warned it could delay agreement — and payment — of any September pay rise for teachers and school leaders until late 2026 or even the New Year.

The Independent Welsh Pay Review Body (IWPRB) report for the 2026/27 academic year had been expected to be published on Friday (Jun 12), followed by a four-week consultation with unions.

However, education unions were informed at a meeting on Wednesday (Jun 10) that publication had instead been postponed until September.

Laura Doel, national secretary of NAHT Cymru, said the decision risked damaging relations between ministers and the education workforce.

She said: “This completely unnecessary decision will delay agreement and receipt of this September’s pay award for dedicated school leaders and teachers, possibly even until the New Year.

“The Welsh Government has received the completed report, and there is absolutely no reason to sit on it.

“This is not the way for any new government to treat hardworking education professionals or to establish a constructive relationship with trade unions and we sincerely hope it is not a sign of things to come.”

The union is urging ministers to reverse course and publish the report before the summer term ends, allowing consultation to take place ahead of the new school year.

NAHT Cymru also called on Plaid Cymru ministers to honour the previous administration’s commitment to ensure pay awards in Wales at least match those agreed in England.

After more than a decade in which teachers’ pay fell in real terms, Ms Doel said any award must be above inflation and fully funded to avoid further pressure on already stretched school budgets.

She added: “Treating teachers and leaders with respect and offering due recognition and reward for a job which has become increasingly difficult is vital if our schools are to recruit and retain the talented professionals needed to deliver a first-rate education for pupils.”

In response to questions from The Herald, the Welsh Government confirmed it had received the completed report but declined to explain why publication had been delayed or whether any eventual pay rise would be backdated.

A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “We have received the Independent Welsh Pay Review Body’s report and are giving careful consideration to all its recommendations including pay.

“We will publish the report and consult on a proposed pay award for 2026/27 after the summer holidays.”

However, ministers did not directly answer questions from The Herald about who made the decision to delay publication, whether Wales would match any pay award agreed in England, whether schools would receive full funding to cover any increase, or whether teachers would receive backdated pay if agreement is delayed.

The dispute comes at a sensitive time for Welsh education, with schools already facing recruitment and retention pressures, rising costs and continued concern over stretched budgets.

NAHT represents more than 38,000 school leaders across the UK, including heads and senior staff in early years, primary, secondary and special schools.

A TENBY lifeguard is hoping to inspire the next generation through art and lifesaving after creating original artwork to celebrate 25 years of the RNLI’s lifeguard service.

Gwen Evans, 23, a senior beach lifeguard with the South Pembrokeshire team, has produced two pieces marking the milestone and encouraging people to join or support the charity’s lifesaving work.

The artwork has been installed at the RNLI Beach Lifeguard Unit on Tenby South Beach.

Gwen said: “I’ve always lived by the sea and grew up watching the RNLI beach lifeguards in Pembrokeshire. After being a keen swimmer my whole life, I wanted a job that would allow me to be active and use my strength in the water.

“My favourite part about being an RNLI lifeguard is interacting with the public, offering helpful safety advice and educating people so they can enjoy their time on the beaches I’ve grown up on.”

Gwen has worked as a lifeguard for five years and has progressed to become one of the senior lifeguards in the team.

Senior lifeguards are responsible for the team working on the beach, running patrols and co-ordinating rescues and casualty care when required.

She said: “It can sometimes feel daunting being a senior, as you are responsible for all the guards working that day, not to mention the whole beach.

“It is a great opportunity though and has definitely helped to boost my confidence, making me progress and develop my leadership and lifeguarding skills.

“After working for the service for the past five years, it’s always nice to see returning beachgoers each season, especially the people we’ve helped who often recognise and support us year after year.”

Art inspired by the coast

Away from lifeguarding, Gwen is an illustration student at Arts University Plymouth and hopes to pursue a career in art.

She said her work is inspired by marine life, the coast, local places and personal experiences.

Gwen added: “Growing up by the coast I’ve always been inspired by the RNLI, and I wanted to create something to support our lifesaving efforts as a charity that relies on the generous support of the public.

“I want to use my art to support charity causes and educate people while showcasing a fun, eye-catching experience.”

The RNLI beach lifeguard service was rolled out in Pembrokeshire in 2008. Since then, lifeguards in the county have saved 164 lives, the highest number recorded in Wales.

New figures also show that RNLI lifeguards in Pembrokeshire have aided a further 15,513 people and carried out 1,799 rescues since the service began.

With Tenby remaining one of Wales’ busiest seaside destinations, lifeguards are expecting another busy summer season.

Gwen said: “As RNLI lifeguards we encourage you to always swim between the red and yellow flags and come and talk to us, even when the beach is busy. We’re here to answer questions and are always happy to help.

“I wanted to use my art as a way to give back to the charity that saves lives every day.

“If my art can spark conversation, inspire future lifeguards or simply raise more awareness of our safety advice, then it has achieved exactly what I intended.”

Gwen will return to lifeguarding on the South Pembrokeshire beaches at the end of June.

Her artistic work can be followed on Instagram at @saltandinkstudio.

RNLI safety advice

The RNLI’s Float to Live advice is:

• Tilt your head back with your ears submerged.
• Relax and try to breathe normally.
• Move your hands and legs to help you stay afloat.
• It is okay if your legs sink, as everyone floats differently.
• Once your breathing is under control, call for help or swim to safety.
• Anyone who sees someone in difficulty in the water should call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

To find your nearest lifeguarded beach, visit the RNLI website.