Health

Wales begins early NHS winter planning after long waits and ambulance pressure

Published

20 seconds ago

July 1, 2026

Ministers say health boards and councils must act now to ease pressure on hospitals, ambulances and social care before winter

THE WELSH GOVERNMENT has told NHS Wales and social care partners to start planning earlier for winter, after a difficult year for emergency care and recent heatwave pressure on ambulance services.

Health and Care Minister Mabon ap Gwynfor said the aim was to make ambulance, emergency department and hospital services safer and more resilient during the colder months, while also recognising that pressure on the NHS is no longer confined to winter.

The announcement will be closely watched in west Wales, where Hywel Dda University Health Board runs Withybush, Glangwili, Bronglais and Prince Philip hospitals.

Latest published figures show Hywel Dda performing better than the Wales average on emergency department waits in May, with 66.5% of patients admitted, transferred or discharged within four hours and 9.9% waiting more than 12 hours. However, the health board remains well short of the Welsh Government’s 95% four-hour target, and therapy waiting times in Hywel Dda were worse than the Wales average.

Across Wales, 64.4% of patients attending emergency departments in May spent less than four hours there, while 11,066 patients waited 12 hours or more. Official figures also showed more than 1,300 “pathway of care” delays on the day data was collected, meaning patients were clinically ready to leave hospital but were still waiting for the right care, support or accommodation.

The Welsh Government says this year’s winter plan will focus on five key areas: preventing illness through improved vaccination uptake, keeping more people well at home, freeing up hospital beds through better infection control and earlier discharge, helping patients leave hospital safely when they are ready, and keeping services running under pressure while supporting staff.

An expansion of the RSV vaccine to people aged over 65 who are clinically at risk will begin in September. Ministers also want stronger uptake of vaccination among people at greatest risk, NHS and care staff, and children.

A new communications campaign is also being developed to help people understand where to go for care, so that emergency departments and ambulances are preserved for those with the most serious needs.

Mr ap Gwynfor said: “Our fantastic NHS and social care staff worked incredibly hard last winter, and we are being clear with health boards and partners more needs to be done.

“Last winter was tough. Too many people waited too long for the care they needed, and that’s not good enough. Early planning and action are key, and I’ve also asked officials to begin planning now so we’re better prepared for the winters ahead.

“I am also clear that this is not just a winter challenge. The recent period of extreme heat is a clear reminder that pressures and risk can arise at any time of year.

“Our ambition is simple: safe services all year round that protect ambulance and hospital capacity for those who really need them, ensuring people get the right care, in the right place, at the right time.”

The statement follows renewed concern from emergency medicine doctors about long waits and so-called corridor care. The Royal College of Emergency Medicine has warned that poor patient flow, delayed discharges and a lack of inpatient beds are leaving too many patients stuck in emergency departments for long periods.

The British Medical Association in Wales has also called for clearer recording and reporting of corridor care, arguing that without better data it is harder to understand the scale of the problem and hold decision-makers to account.

There was a further warning last week when the Welsh Ambulance Service declared a critical incident during the extreme heat. The service said 999 call volumes had risen by 31% compared with two weeks earlier, with around 400 additional emergency calls a day. The critical incident was later stood down, but ambulance chiefs said demand remained high.

The political test for the Plaid-led Welsh Government will be whether early planning can translate into visible improvements by winter. Health boards and councils will be expected to work together more closely, but many of the problems ministers are trying to solve depend on social care capacity, staffing, available beds and community services.

For patients and families in Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion, the key question will be whether the plan leads to shorter ambulance waits, fewer long delays in A&E, and quicker support for people well enough to return home from hospital.

Health

Welsh Ambulance Service tightens eligibility checks for patient transport service

Published

14 minutes ago

July 1, 2026

Tom Sinclair

THE WELSH AMBULANCE SERVICE has announced changes to the way it assesses eligibility for its Non-Emergency Patient Transport Service (NEPTS), saying the move is needed to cope with increasing demand and ensure support is available for those who need it most.

The service, which provides transport to and from healthcare appointments for patients who are unable to travel independently because of their medical condition or mobility needs, is introducing a more consistent approach to applying Welsh Government eligibility criteria.

In a statement released on Tuesday (July 1), the trust said it was also improving the way patient journeys are planned and managed, with the aim of reducing short-notice cancellations and making the service more reliable for eligible patients.

The announcement comes just days after the Welsh Ambulance Service declared a critical incident following a significant rise in demand across its emergency services, highlighting the wider pressures facing healthcare transport across Wales.

The trust said the eligibility criteria themselves are not changing, but assessments will be carried out more consistently to ensure limited resources are directed towards patients with the greatest need.

A spokesperson said: “We’re strengthening how we assess eligibility for our non-emergency patient transport to help ensure support is available for those who need it most.

“Due to increasing demand, we are applying Welsh Government eligibility criteria more consistently and improving how journeys are planned and managed. Our aim is to reduce short-notice cancellations and provide a more reliable service for eligible patients.”

Patients who currently use the service may notice additional questions or checks when transport is booked or reviewed.

The Non-Emergency Patient Transport Service is separate from the 999 ambulance service and is primarily used by patients attending regular hospital appointments, dialysis, cancer treatment and other healthcare services where independent travel is not possible.

The Welsh Ambulance Service is encouraging anyone concerned about their eligibility or transport arrangements to contact the service for further information.

The changes are expected to be rolled out across Wales over the coming months.

Health

Wales’ only specialist eye hospitals strengthen senior team

Published

55 minutes ago

July 1, 2026

Tom Sinclair

WALES’ only specialist eye-care hospital, Sana Private Health, has expanded its senior team to welcome Francesca Oak as a new Business Relationships Manager.

Aiming to increase Sana’s optometry network across Wales, Francesca’s appointment represents the Cataract Centres of Excellence’s approach to enhanced patient care, particularly for those with complex eye health conditions.

The new role has been created as demand for specialist eye care continues to grow across Wales, with increasing numbers of patients seeking treatment for age-related eye conditions including cataracts, glaucoma and macular degeneration.

The appointment will see Francesca, who holds extensive experience in optometry practice, provide expert consultation for optometrists. Advising on bespoke treatment options available for patients, Francesca will also take feedback from optometrists to shape Sana’s future planning based on patient needs.

It is the first time the hospital has brought in a specialist in relationship management, demonstrating Sana’s commitment to improving patient pathways to care. Coupled with the recent investment in renovating its Bridgend hospital, the new role highlights Sana’s continued growth.

Speaking of her appointment, Francesca Oak said: “I’m delighted to join the team at Sana Private Health at this exciting time for the hospital. We are seeing real growth and investment in cutting-edge technologies which will enhance patient care, and I’m looking forward to working with optometrists across Wales to shape our approach to care.”

With hospitals in Swansea and Bridgend, Sana Private Health was established in March 2023 by world-leading ophthalmologists Mr Luke Anderson and Mr Mario Saldanha.

The private healthcare centre offers treatment for glaucoma, retinal disorders, macular degeneration, cornea conditions, refractive lens exchange, laser vision correction, and is a leading specialist centre for cataract removal.

Mr Luke Anderson, Founding Director and Ophthalmic Surgeon at Sana Private Health, said: “Bringing Fran into the team represents our commitment to excellence, strengthening our relationships with optometrists across the country.

“Patients need to feel confident that, when they speak to their optometrists, they’ll be able to access the right treatment in outstanding facilities. By bringing Francesca on-board, we’re improving our outreach to optometry practices and ensuring patients have an efficient, practical and tailored referrals process, so they can be seen by a specialist quicker and get back to the life they love.”

To find out more, visit https://www.sana-health.co.uk/

Health

Stroke services consultation reaches halfway point as public urged to have say

Published

1 day ago

June 30, 2026

Tom Sinclair

HYWEL DDA University Health Board is urging people to take part in its consultation on the future of stroke services, as the process reaches the halfway point.

The second phase of the eight-week consultation began on May 28 and will remain open until July 26.

The health board is seeking views from patients, carers, staff, local communities and stakeholders on its preferred option for stroke services across Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion.

Under the preferred option, a 24-hour acute stroke and rehabilitation unit would be based at Glangwili Hospital, with a stroke rehabilitation unit at Bronglais Hospital. Treat-and-transfer services would continue at Bronglais, Prince Philip and Withybush hospitals.

Stroke services are currently provided at all four main Hywel Dda hospitals, namely Bronglais, Glangwili, Prince Philip and Withybush. However, the health board says services do not consistently meet national clinical standards and that specialist stroke cover is not available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

More than 1,700 people have already taken part in the second phase of consultation, either through public events or by completing the questionnaire.

Mark Henwood, Hywel Dda University Health Board’s Executive Medical Director, said: “We know how important stroke services are to members of our communities and to our staff.

“Providing timely, high-quality specialist care for people who experience a stroke is critical. Stroke care has advanced significantly, and evidence shows that patients have better outcomes in specialist units with access to expert teams and equipment around the clock.

“We are listening carefully to what people are telling us, and this feedback is important in helping us understand what matters most to our communities. Thank you to everyone who has already attended our engagement events, both in person and online. We look forward to speaking to more people before the consultation ends on July 26.”

Lee Davies, Executive Director of Strategy and Planning, said the health board had been meeting staff and communities across the three counties, as well as representatives from neighbouring health board areas.

He said people had raised questions about where they would go for diagnosis and treatment, how transfers between hospitals would work, and why stroke services could not continue as they are across all four hospital sites.

Mr Davies said: “It’s important to reassure people that, now and in the future, if you think someone is having a stroke, you should seek immediate help by calling 999.

“As happens today, and with any future option, they will be taken to the nearest appropriate hospital for assessment and initial treatment. If specialist treatment such as a thrombectomy is needed, patients would continue to be transferred to specialist centres in Bristol or Cardiff.

“Throughout this process we are working with the Welsh Ambulance Services University NHS Trust, and other providers such as the Adult Critical Care Transfer Service and national commissioners.

“Once an option for the future of stroke services is chosen, detailed modelling will take place to understand what dedicated transport arrangements will be needed, so this would not impact on emergency ambulance availability.

“We need to make changes to ensure we meet national standards and can provide safe, sustainable, accessible and kind services. We need to give people the best possible chance of recovery after the devastating effects of a stroke.”

The remaining public drop-in events are:

Tuesday, June 30, 2pm to 7pm, Y Plas, Machynlleth, SY20 8ER
Monday, July 6, 2pm to 7pm, Canolfan Creuddyn, Lampeter, SA48 7BN
Wednesday, July 8, 2pm to 7pm, Pater Hall, Pembroke Dock, SA72 6DD
Tuesday, July 14, 2pm to 7pm, Ivy Bush Royal Hotel, Carmarthen, SA31 1LG
An online session will also be held on Tuesday, July 7, at 6:30pm.

Everyone is welcome to attend to find out more, ask questions and share their views.

The health board says all feedback received during this phase of consultation, along with views gathered in 2025 and the latest evidence, will be considered before a final decision is made later this year.

Further information, including the questionnaire, is available on the Hywel Dda stroke consultation website.

People can also contact the engagement team by emailing [email protected] or by calling 0300 303 8322, option 5.