Welsh Government announces new plan to cut waiting lists

Alyson Thomas, our chief executive, said:

"Anything that helps people get the care they need more quickly is welcome.

“We hear every day from people whose lives are being affected by long waits for NHS treatment. Many tell us they feel like their lives are on hold while they wait for appointments, tests or surgery, often living with pain, uncertainty and anxiety about what comes next.

“The additional investment and focus on reducing the longest waits has the potential to make a real difference. But success is about more than bringing down numbers on a waiting list. People need to see and feel the difference in their everyday lives through quicker diagnosis, faster treatment and a better experience of care.

“We welcome plans to increase capacity, including through weekend appointments. However, extra appointments only help if people can get to them. Transport, caring responsibilities, work and other practical challenges can all affect whether someone is able to attend when an appointment becomes available.

“People also need support to stay as well as possible while they wait for treatment. We regularly hear from people who want clearer information about what is happening with their care and where they can turn for help while they are waiting. That requires health boards and services to work together, share information effectively and ensure people receive consistent support wherever they live in Wales.

“We also note the proposed changes to follow-up appointments. We understand the intention is to free up more appointments for people who need them, but any new approach must work for patients as well as for the NHS.

“Not everyone finds it easy to navigate services or knows when to seek further help. That's why clear information, accessible communication and straightforward routes back into care will be essential. People need confidence that support will be there when they need it and that no one will be left behind.

“People tell us they don't just want treatment sooner. They want to know what's happening with their care, what they can expect next and where they can turn if their circumstances change.

“Ahead of the Senedd election, timely access to healthcare was one of the issues people raised most often with Llais. As these plans are rolled out, we'll be listening closely to people's experiences and whether they are seeing the benefits in practice.

“Behind every waiting list statistic is a person waiting to get on with their life. As these changes are introduced, we will be listening carefully to what people tell us about their experiences, to ascertain whether this delivers the planned benefits, and people feel that when they use services across Wales. We know this won't be an overnight change but it does have to be one that's felt by people in a range of different circumstances.

“We'll use the experiences people share with us to inform our conversations with health boards, NHS leaders and the Welsh Government, so that implementation is shaped by the realities of people's lives.”