Health

Record NHS Wales waiting lists worsen, with one in five waiting for treatment

Published

2 years ago

August 23, 2024

HOSPITAL waiting lists in Wales hit another record high, with nearly one in five people waiting for treatment, according to latest statistics.

Official figures for June show 615,341 patients were waiting for 791,511 treatments to take place – both the highest numbers on record.

The estimated number of people waiting for treatment is up by 12% since March 2022.

So-called patient pathways – which account for patients waiting for more than one treatment – have risen by more than 80% since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The number of waits of more than a year was about 160,000 in July and at least two years was 23,400 – 3.5% and 4.3% increases on the previous month, respectively.

Performance in A&E fared a little better but waits remain relatively long historically and services are still some way short of the target of seeing 95% of patients in four hours.

In July, 69.3% of patients in A&Es spent less than four hours in emergency departments from arrival to admission, transfer or discharge – a 0.4% improvement over the month.

Swansea Bay health board saw the biggest proportion spending less than four hours in A&E at 79.1%, with Cardiff and Vale the lowest at 61.7%.

In the latest data, the median average waiting time was two hours, 39 minutes – a six-minute improvement on the previous month.

The Welsh Government also has a target of no patient waiting more than 12 hours but over 10,100 patients waited at least 12 hours, according to the July figures.

Betsi Cadwaldr (3,506) topped the table for 12-hour waits, while Cardiff and Vale was the best performing on this benchmark as well (895).

In July, 48% of life-threatening red calls received a response within eight minutes against a target of 65% – representing a 1.7% increase on the previous month.

Red-call response times have fallen from a peak of 80% in 2017.

However, in that time, there has been a substantial increase in calls, with about 58,000 in the past 12 months – more than twice the number in 2017 (22,000).

In recent years, there has also been a significant problem with handover delays at hospitals, with 20,000 hours lost in July alone.

In total, nearly 35,800 red, amber and green calls were made to the ambulance service in July, an average of 1,154 calls a day.

Response times for red calls ranged between four minutes, 30 seconds and six minutes for red calls in the four years before the pandemic.

But the median average response time in July was eight minutes, 18 seconds.

The Welsh Government has a target of 75% of patient pathways starting treatment within 62 days of cancer first being suspected, with a new aim of 80% by 2026.

But, in June, only 56.7% of patient pathways started their first definitive treatment within 62 days though this was an increase of 1.3% on May and 1.9% annually.

Cardiff and Vale health board had the best performance at 64% while the lowest was Cwm Taf Morgannwg’s 52%.

Pre-pandemic in December 2020, nearly 67% of patients in Wales were seen within 62 days but no health board has hit the 75% target since July 2020.

Judi Rhys, chief executive of Tenovus Cancer Care, said: “The cancer waiting times figures for June show that we are still not seeing the progress that is so desperately needed.

“As we reach the halfway point of the reporting year, it’s clear that despite limited improvement, we remain far from achieving the suspected cancer pathway target.

“Alarmingly, our current position is no better than this time last year or even the year before.”

Mark Drakeford, who served as health minister between 2013 and 2016, returned to the role on an interim basis this month, succeeding Wales’ new First Minister Eluned Morgan.

In a press statement responding to the statistics, Mr Drakeford said: “The number of immediately life-threatening red 999 calls to the ambulance service made each day was the fourth highest on record in July.

“And attendances at emergency departments continue to be above the long-term average.

“Performance against the four-hour A&E target improved, and the average time people spent in departments before being discharged, admitted to hospital or transferred also fell in July.

“There was an improvement in ambulance response times and we have also seen an improvement in hospital discharge delay figures in July compared to June.

“However, it is disappointing that the number of people waiting more than two years for treatment has increased and there’s been further growth in the overall waiting list – just as there has been in other parts of the UK.”

Sam Rowlands, the Conservatives’ shadow health secretary, said: “These woeful statistics show the NHS is in crisis as waits have increased to new records for five months in a row.

“The Labour Welsh Government has failed yet again to bear down on these excessive lists.

“Since Eluned Morgan was Labour’s health minister, how can she be trusted to turn this situation around as First Minister?

“The Conservatives believe it is past due for Labour to spend every penny they receive for health on the Welsh NHS, as opposed to prioritising the creation of 36 more politicians.”

Mabon ap Gwynfor, his Plaid Cymru counterpart, said: “There is a disappointing inevitability of failing to get to grips with NHS waiting times month after month, and this set of results published today is no different, with waiting times at their highest ever.

“While Labour in Wales has been too focused on internal fighting, the new First Minister has left a legacy of at least 615,300 individual patients on treatment waiting lists. She promised to eliminate waiting lists but failed. A damning record for the new First Minister of Wales.

“A radical rethink in approach is needed.”

Health

RCN Wales appoints Nicola Williams as Executive Director

Published

2 days ago

March 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

NICOLA WILLIAMS will take up the role in April, bringing more than three decades of experience in nursing and senior leadership.

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has announced the appointment of Nicola Williams as its new Executive Director for Wales.

She joins the organisation from Velindre University NHS Trust, where she currently serves as Executive Director for Nursing, Allied Health Professionals and Health Care Scientists. With 38 years of experience in nursing and more than six years at executive board level, she is widely recognised across NHS Wales for her work in improving patient outcomes.

A highly experienced strategic leader, Williams has worked across a wide range of clinical and organisational settings. She has led major transformation programmes, strengthened national clinical leadership networks and championed innovation and evidence-based improvements in care. Her work has contributed to changes adopted across Wales and has been recognised with national awards.

Speaking about her appointment, Nicola Williams said: “I feel privileged to be appointed as Executive Director of RCN Wales. I’m a proud nurse, passionate about patient safety and improving care standards.

“Delivering the best care is only possible when nursing staff are supported to work in safe, inclusive environments. I will stand alongside members and their patients.

“Nursing staff are the backbone of health and care. I am determined to support our members across Wales, wherever they work, to meet the challenges ahead and shape the future of our profession.

“I look forward to meeting members across Wales and ensuring our work is informed by their experiences and expertise.”

In her new role, Williams will lead the RCN’s work in Wales and provide strategic leadership across key priority areas spanning the UK.

She succeeds Helen Whyley, who has held the position since February 2019 and will move into a new role as Director of Service Innovation at the RCN.

Health

Decision pending on adult mental health referral pathway

Published

2 days ago

March 19, 2026

Tom Sinclair

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

Published

3 days ago

March 19, 2026

Tom Sinclair

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.

***Mendus Pharmacy: No availability of the vaccine***

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.