Wales Health News

The impact of the severe winter continues to be reflected in these figures. The Health Service in Wales is well aware of the need to treat patients who, as a result have waited beyond the maximum time.

A speciality by speciality approach is being taken to ensure that additional planned operations are carried out over coming months.

The vast majority of patients are of course treated well within the maximum waiting times.

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"Instead of getting better, NHS waiting times are getting progressively worse" says Shadow Health Minister Darren Millar.

“Spiralling waits for treatment are now so common-place that they have almost become the norm. That’s absolutely unacceptable."

“April’s rise came at a time when financial pressures were at an all-time high and it’s clear that Labour’s record-breaking budget cuts continue to have an incredibly damaging impact"

“The Welsh Labour Government’s target is already less ambitious than in England, yet these targets are still frequently missed" said Welsh Liberal Democrats leader Kirsty Williams.

"Why should Welsh patients be forced to wait so much longer?"

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Figures show the number of patients in Wales waiting longer than 36 weeks for treatment has risen sharply.

7,611 patients waiting for that length of time in April, a rise of more than 2,000 on the previous month, according to Statistics Wales figures.

The Welsh Government has a target for 100% of patients to begin treatment within 36 weeks.

A further 30,988 were waiting between 26 and 36 weeks to start treatment.

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Paul Dimblebee from the Wales Audit Office discusses a report which has found some patients needing continuing healthcare are being let down by the system.

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• Wales Audit Office
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There has been limited progress in dealing with a backlog of challenges over eligibility for free continuing health care in Wales which is a cause for concern, says a report published today by the Auditor General for Wales.

The Welsh Government says it aims to get the backlog of challenges resolved within a year.

We welcome this comprehensive report by the Wales Audit Office on continuing healthcare in Wales. We are pleased to hear that our 2010 guidance has led to improvements and on the basis of the recommendations now made by the WAO we will now undertake our own review of the guidance and look critically at how it can be strengthened.

In respect of retrospective claims for continuing care, we agree with the WAO that it is important that the claims that pre date our guidance are dealt with as effectively and as soon as possible. We have invested substantial additional resources in the national project being led by Powys Teaching Local Health Board and are assured that as a result the agreed June 2014 deadline for dealing with outstanding claims will be met.

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• Wales Audit Office
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The Auditor General for Wales says there have been improvements to the system of who gets free health care in Wales but more needs to be done to ensure consistency and fairness across Wales.

A report out today says there has been limited progress in dealing with a backlog of challenges over eligibility for continuing health care which is a cause for concern.

With an ageing population, Continuing NHS Healthcare is vital in meeting the needs of an increasing number of vulnerable people. There can be significant financial implications for those who have substantial health and social care needs but are deemed ineligible to receive CHC, and it is therefore essential that people are treated fairly and consistently when eligibility for CHC is considered.

Although the revised Framework has helped in this regard,more needs to be done, and greater urgency is required to clear the backlog of retrospective claims and disputes against decisions that has built up.'

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• Wales Audit Office
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People in Wales who need Continuing Health Care are still being let down by the system according to a report released today by the auditor general for Wales. It claims progress in dealing with a backlog of challenges over eligibility for care continues to be a cause for concern.

When someone is eligible for Continuing Health Care the NHS funds the full package, including any care home fees. His report makes several recommendations to the Welsh Government which includes creating a national board to ensure all retrospective claims are processed efficiently and consistently.

The auditor says it's "essential" that people are treated failrly and consistenly across Wales when those decisions are made.

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• Wales Audit Office
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Ann Clwyd, the MP for Cynon Valley, who is looking into the way hospital complaints in England are handled, has appeared before the Welsh Grand Committee to share experiences of Welsh patients who have contacted her.

She told the group of Welsh MPs that 20% of the 2,500 letters she received are from Welsh patients.

She described one case where a woman and her husband were moved to a 'dingy side ward' for 12 hours before he died.

Other cases raised involve patients being ignored by nurses on the ward.

Read more: Our political editor Adrian Masters is at the Welsh Grand Committee meeting

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Staff at Arriva Trains' Canton Depot have been given a talk today about keeping themselves fit for work.

They've been joined by a physiotherapist to discuss the importance of keeping active.

A survey by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy shows that 76% of adults aren't getting the 2.5 hours of minimum exercise required every week.

It also found 62% fear developing a serious illness that could affect their ability to do their jobs.

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• Canton

The family of a North Wales woman, who was refused an anti-cancer drug, say they may have to move across the border to England to get treatment.

Jennnifer Parratt, from Colwyn Bay, was told by a consultant in England that the medicine could help save her life. But they've been refused funding here in Wales, as Ian lang reports.

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• Colwyn Bay