Welsh Conservatives today accused the Assembly Government of a ‘cynical manipulation’ of hospital waiting times figures.
Thousands of patients continue to wait longer than maximum waiting time for treatment “standards”, research conducted by the party reveals. Statistics show that:
- In January 2010 some 13,532 patients were waiting more than 14 weeks for inpatient or day case treatment, despite an Assembly Government pledge that no-one would wait longer than that time by March 2009
- The number of patients waiting longer than 14 weeks rose by 4,598% between March 2009 and January 2010 (the latest month for which figures are available)
- In January 2010 some 37,288 patients were waiting more than 10 weeks for their first outpatient appointment despite an Assembly Government pledge that no-one would wait longer than that time by March 2009
- The number of patients waiting longer than 10 weeks for their first outpatient appointment rose by 24,758% between March 2009 and January 2010 (the latest month for which figures are available)
The Assembly Government is currently consulting on proposals to stop the collection and publication of waiting times for first outpatient appointments and inpatient/day-case admissions.
Earlier today a leading Welsh doctor said Assembly Government claims on waiting times did not match “the experience on the ground day to day”.
Commenting on the waiting times figures, Shadow Health Minister Andrew RT Davies AM said:
“The Assembly Government has cynically manipulated the waiting times figures to suit its own political ends.
“They set targets in a blaze of publicity, talk of a ‘five per cent tolerance’ when they miss them, and seek to stop collecting data altogether when the information doesn’t suit them.
“The public must be given information on the performance of the NHS. Without that how on earth can patients judge the Assembly Government on its record in cutting waiting times for treatment?
“More people are waiting for treatment – and for longer – despite repeated attempts by the Assembly Government to bring the Welsh NHS up to standards enjoyed by patients in England.
“It’s about time the Health Minister injected some honesty into the issue and admitted her failure to meet waiting times targets – or standards as she now calls them.
“Patients on those waiting lists expect nothing less.”
