A day after defending NHS waiting times in Wales, following comments made by the Prime Minister based on Welsh government figures, new statistics on the number of patients waiting for treatment show targets have been missed again.
In all, 383,891 patients were waiting to start treatment at the end of 2011. That’s 156, 681 more than at the end of 2009, shortly after Carwyn Jones became First Minister; a rise of 69 per cent.
At that time, 99.3 per cent of patients on NHS lists had been waiting less than 26 weeks.
During December 2011, 91.4 per cent of patients waiting for the start of their treatment were seen within 26 weeks (a fall when compared with November). The target is 95 per cent and was last met in October 2010.
98 per cent had been waiting less than 36 weeks (the same as November). The target is 100 per cent and was last met in March 2010.
These targets were also missed for the number of patients who were treated during December (83.6 per cent had waited less than 26 weeks and 96.2 per cent less that 36 weeks).
The publication of today’s figures follows a refusal by Labour’s Shadow Minister for Care and Older People to defend her party’s approach to the NHS in Wales. Liz Kendall MP was speaking on BBC’s Newsnight programme on Wednesday February 8th (transcript & link below).
Shadow Minister for Health Darren Millar AM said:
“Since the current First Minister took office waiting times in Wales have gotten worse and worse.
“The figures are very plain for all to see and clearly show a significant rise in both the number of people waiting and the length of time they have been kept on a list.
“Compared with the previous month, there has been virtually no change. Despite the government’s promises to deal with the problem, the figures have stagnated.
“Orthopaedic delays remain at the heart of the backlog. Last summer the health minister made a firm commitment to deal with this issue by the end of March 2012. She has staked her reputation on meeting her own target and should be strictly held to this.
“It is no surprise that a Labour shadow minister could not find the courage to defend her party’s inept handling of the Welsh NHS. Put simply, it’s not working.
“Wales deserves to have the problem of waiting times dealt with appropriately. Quick and suitable action is urgently required in order to reduce these numbers and bring patient discomfort to an end.”
