Welsh Government figures have recently shown that patients waiting for treatment has seen its biggest monthly drop on record. This news has come as a shock to many residents in North Wales as they are still waiting significantly long times for operations and referrals.
The figures show that the majority of the people waiting two years for treatment is in North Wales, which questions the Welsh Governments priorities when it comes to current health crisis in the Welsh NHS and who is benefitting from the increased spending and set targets to reduce waiting times.
A&E figures are still alarmingly high with an increase of people attending hospital emergency departments. This coincides with the recent declaring of health emergencies from Conwy County Borough Council and Denbighshire County Council, who have both stated that they are not seeing an easing of pressure in our health services.
There has been controversy over recent figures after revised data had shown that Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board underreported the number of patients on its waiting lists over a five-month period.
Between April and August last year, more than 11,600 cumulative cases across north Wales were not captured within figures for planned treatment.
The updated data follows a review of data collection processes at Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, which was initiated after discrepancies were identified in November. As a result, the publication of waiting list figures for the subsequent two months was temporarily paused while the review was completed.
Janet Finch-Saunders, Senedd Member for Aberconwy said:
“While the Welsh Government says NHS waiting times are coming down in Wales, that simply isn’t the reality for many patients in North Wales with figures showing that the majority of the people waiting two years for treatment is in North Wales.
North Wales continues to have some of the highest waiting times in Wales, with long delays for outpatient appointments, diagnostics and planned treatments remaining a serious concern. I have had too many constituents still waiting over a year to be treated for dermatology issues, gall bladder surgeries, also hernia and endoscopy treatments.
Where you live should not determine how long you wait for NHS care. Until waiting times come down consistently in North Wales, claims of progress will ring hollow for patients and families who are still being left behind.”
