NHS staff praised as waiting hits an all-time low

May 1 2008 by Madeleine Brindley, Western Mail

NHS staff have been praised for their hard work as waiting times fall to their lowest level in Wales.

But the NHS faces a challenging 12 months as it must meet tough new targets to eradicate long waits altogether.

Official figures reveal five patients were waiting more than 22 weeks for inpatient treatment at the end of March. It is thought they received their treatment last month.

But no patients were waiting more than 22 weeks for an outpatient appointment, meeting the Welsh Assembly Government target. A year ago there were 21,500 people waiting more than 22 weeks to see a consultant, and 10,000 waiting more than 22 weeks to be treated.

First Minister Rhodri Morgan said: “I would also like to thank the NHS staff – whether that be frontline clinicians or administrative support staff – without whom this would not have been possible.”

And Health Minister Edwina Hart said: “NHS staff have worked tirelessly over the past year to meet the Assembly Government’s challenging waiting time targets. Waiting times in Wales are now at an all-time low and this is something to be celebrated.”

The NHS must now meet the interim target of a maximum 10-week wait for a first appointment to see a consultant, followed by a maximum of 14 weeks to receive treatment, by March 2009.

Director of the Welsh NHS Confederation Mike Ponton said: “With possible restructuring on the horizon, the NHS will need to redouble its efforts to maintain this momentum through times of uncertainty.”

Welsh Conservatives’ Shadow Health Minister Jonathan Morgan said: “I am concerned the Labour-Plaid government’s ideological obsession with getting rid of the private sector in the NHS will impact on the ability to meet these targets.”