Expanded Availability of NHS Appointments for Thousands More Individuals
Wales Sees Improvements in Healthcare Waiting Times
Wales is witnessing significant improvements in healthcare waiting times, according to the latest NHS performance figures. The improvements are a result of various initiatives aimed at delivering faster treatment and reducing long waiting lists.
Jeremy Miles, the Health Secretary, announced an extra £120 million to be allocated towards these efforts. This investment is part of a year-long plan to tackle long waiting times and improve healthcare services in Wales.
The second lowest figure since April 2021 shows that just over 8,000 people were waiting more than 2 years for treatment in July across Wales. This is a promising development, indicating a decrease in long waiting times.
Moreover, the average time people spent waiting for triage in emergency departments was the joint best recorded since February 2021, at 16 minutes. This quicker triage process will undoubtedly help alleviate pressure on emergency services and ensure patients receive prompt attention.
The record-high figure of more than 5,000 referrals for a first outpatient appointment a day in July is another indication of increased healthcare activity. This high number of referrals suggests that more people are seeking and receiving medical care.
In July, 2,301 people started cancer treatment, a record-high figure. The latest figures also show that performance against the 62-day cancer target was above 60% for the sixth month in a row, indicating improvements in cancer care.
More than 20,000 extra cataract operations will be provided by the end of March 2026. To celebrate these successes, Jeremy Miles will visit Llandough Hospital to meet patients benefitting from the increase in cataract activity.
In addition, 15,000 extra outpatient appointments are being provided across Wales this month. This increase in appointments will further help reduce waiting times and ensure more people receive timely medical care.
Further improvements are being seen in other areas. For example, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board has reduced the number of ophthalmology pathways waiting more than 52 weeks by 34% in July 2025 compared to July 2024.
For people in cardiac arrest where resuscitation was attempted, 27.4% had a return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) at the time of arrival to hospital, an improvement of 6 percentage points compared to July 2021.
Jeremy Miles expressed confidence that a significant reduction in long waits will be seen by the end of the second quarter. Moreover, no one is waiting more than 2 years for treatment or more than a year for a first outpatient appointment in Swansea Bay and Powys health boards.
Lastly, more than 15,780 people received the good news they did not have cancer, the second-highest figure on record. These improvements in healthcare services are a testament to the hard work and commitment of the NHS workforce in Wales.
The Welsh Government's plan to tackle long waiting times and reduce the waiting list is underway, bringing hope for faster and more accessible healthcare services to the people of Wales.
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