A key promise by Wales' first minister to cut NHS waiting times has been missed. In December, Eluned Morganpledged to cut the numbers waiting two years or more for planned treatmentsfrom 24,000 to about 8,000 by spring. Despite falling to the lowest point since April 2021, March's figure stood at 8,389 with the majority - 5,747 - all in the health board for north Wales, Betsi Cadwaladr. There was a drop from February's figure of 15,500 amid a £50m investment but the figure is still well above NHS England which had just 147 people waiting two years or more. This funding came too late for some, like Sarah Thyer, who paid £8,000 for hip surgery in Lithuania after facing a two-year wait. The Welsh government said its £50m investment led to more than 5,000 treatments, 2,000 diagnostic tests, 6,000 outpatient appointments and 2,100 neurodevelopmental assessments, eliminating three-year waiting lists. Last month, Health Secretary Jeremy Miles said he was sure the NHS would come close to the 8,000 figure. On Thursday, he praised Swansea Bay, Hywel Dda, and Powys health boards for having no patients waiting more than two years for treatment. He said the focus was now cutting the waiting list by 200,000 this year and restoring an eight-week maximum wait for diagnostic tests by March 2026. While calling the goal "ambitious", he thanked "NHS staff for their hard work getting us to this point". With just under a year until the next Senedd electionand with the NHS likely to be a key issue, the stakes were high. Ms Thyer, 60, from Sketty, Swansea enjoyed an active life as a charity fundraiser until her left hip deteriorated quickly at the start of 2024. "It was agony, so much so I had to use a stick. I couldn't do the activities I usually did like sea swimming and cycling," she said. "I had to give up my job because I couldn't physically do what I needed to do." Having osteoarthritis, Ms Thyer knew she would need to a hip replacement, having undergone surgery on her right hip in 2017. Back then she had waited about eight months for the operation, but was told this time it would be at least triple that. "You feel completely frustrated... because every day you're struggling. "To be told you've got another two years after already being on [the list] for about 40 weeks is just depressing because it's not just the pain, it affects your whole life - it was heartbreaking." Following her father's death earlier this year, Sarah took matters into her own hands and paid to have her hip replaced in a clinic in Lithuania. She flew out on 2 March, had the operation two days later and "within eight hours" of surgery, was "walking up and down the corridor". She can now ride her bike again and walk up stairs "without hanging on to the banister". Despite occasionally feeling "angry" about paying for her own treatment, she does not blame NHS staff, but said there was "something wrong in the system". While welcoming the Welsh government's commitment to bring down waiting lists, the Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) argued progress was "too slow". Director in Wales Jon Barry said: "I feel very sorry for those patients who are sitting at home in pain, not being able to get around." The RCS wants more surgical hubs in Wales - standalone units that focus on these treatments and can be protected from pressures on A&E. Prof Barry, also a consultant surgeon in Swansea Bay health board, the area where Ms Thyer lives, said the Welsh government needed to invest in long-term solutions. He said health boards were able to make inroads, in part, by paying for more evening and weekend working, using the private sector and pooling facilities, staff and resources. He added: "Instead of spending money at the end of the financial year to get on top of these two-year waits it would be far more beneficial to use that funding 365 days a year to build durable capacity without turning to the private sector." Back at home, Sarah realises the progress has come too late for her and does not regret her decision, but recognised others could not afford to do the same. She said: "I was lucky to be in that position. Obviously I would prefer to be paying £8,000 on a few holidays, a new bathroom, kitchen or car, but nothing is better than waking up in the morning and not having that excruciating pain. "So I would pay it again tomorrow." Plaid Cymru's health spokesman Mabon ap Gwynfor accused the Welsh government of "moving the goalposts and still missing" after the two-year waiting list target of 8,000 was pushed back from March 2023 to spring 2025. The Conservatives said: "The Welsh Labour government is still missing its cancer targets and no-one at all should be waiting two years for treatment or over 12 hours in A&E, let alone over 110,000 patients."
First minister misses NHS waiting times promise
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Wales' First Minister Fails to Meet NHS Waiting Times Commitment"
Bbc News
6.7
TruthLens AI Summary
Wales' First Minister Eluned Morgan has failed to meet a significant promise regarding NHS waiting times, which was initially set to reduce the number of patients waiting for planned treatments for two years or more from 24,000 to approximately 8,000 by spring 2023. As of March, the figure stood at 8,389, with a majority of these patients—5,747—located within the Betsi Cadwaladr health board in North Wales. Although this represents a decline from February's figure of 15,500 and marks the lowest waiting time since April 2021, it still falls significantly short of NHS England's figure of only 147 patients waiting two years or more. The Welsh government's recent £50 million investment has reportedly facilitated over 5,000 treatments and a number of outpatient appointments, yet the results have come too late for individuals like Sarah Thyer who, after enduring a long wait, opted to pay for private surgery abroad to address her debilitating hip condition.
The ongoing situation has drawn criticism from various stakeholders, including the Royal College of Surgeons (RCS), which has expressed concern over the slow progress in reducing waiting times. RCS Director in Wales, Jon Barry, emphasized the need for more surgical hubs to alleviate pressure on NHS resources and improve treatment availability. With just under a year remaining until the next Senedd election, the Welsh government is under pressure to address these issues effectively. Health Secretary Jeremy Miles has acknowledged the ambitious nature of the targets but remains optimistic about reducing waiting lists by 200,000 within the year and reinstating an eight-week maximum wait for diagnostic tests by March 2026. Meanwhile, critics from opposition parties have accused the government of failing to meet its commitments regarding waiting times, particularly in light of the recent adjustments to the two-year waiting list target, which has been postponed to spring 2025. The situation remains critical as patients continue to experience lengthy waits for essential medical treatments, leading to increased frustration and hardship for many individuals.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article highlights a significant failure by Wales' First Minister, Eluned Morgan, in meeting her promise to reduce NHS waiting times. The focus is on the gap between her commitment and the current statistics, which show that despite some improvements, the waiting times remain a pressing issue.
Promised vs. Reality
Eluned Morgan had pledged to reduce the number of patients waiting two years or more for treatment from 24,000 to about 8,000 by spring. However, the latest figure stands at 8,389, which, while lower than previous months, still falls short of her goal. This discrepancy can create a perception of ineffectiveness in leadership, especially with an upcoming election.
Public Sentiment
The article aims to evoke a sense of urgency and dissatisfaction among the public regarding NHS services in Wales. It highlights individual stories, such as that of Sarah Thyer, to humanize the statistics and illustrate the real-life consequences of long waiting times. Such narratives can stir public emotions, potentially swaying voter opinions ahead of the elections.
Concealed Information
While the article provides substantial information about the situation, it may overlook broader systemic issues that contribute to the NHS's struggles, such as funding allocation, staffing shortages, and political decisions. By focusing mainly on the figures and the First Minister's promise, it could divert attention from underlying problems.
Manipulative Elements
The article has a manipulative quality due to its selective emphasis on the failure to meet a specific target while not adequately addressing the improvements made or the complexity of the healthcare system. The language used may inadvertently create a narrative of blame directed at leadership without acknowledging other contributing factors.
Comparative Analysis
When compared to other news articles on NHS performance across the UK, this piece underscores the disparities between Wales and England, particularly in waiting times. Such comparisons can serve to highlight perceived inefficiencies within the Welsh government, potentially influencing public opinion against them.
Impact on Society
This news can have significant implications for Wales' political landscape, especially given the proximity of the Senedd elections. If the public perceives the NHS as failing under current leadership, it could lead to a loss of support for the ruling party. Economic implications may also arise if healthcare quality is called into question, affecting public trust and investment.
Target Audience
The article seems to be directed at the general public, particularly those who may be directly affected by NHS waiting times. It also targets political constituents who are concerned about healthcare issues, aiming to galvanize support for change in leadership.
Market Reactions
While the article may not directly influence stock markets, it could have implications for companies involved in healthcare and medical services in Wales. If public dissatisfaction leads to political changes, it may impact funding and operational dynamics within the NHS.
Global Context
Although the article is localized to Wales, it reflects broader trends in healthcare systems struggling with waiting times globally. It connects to ongoing discussions about healthcare reform and accessibility, which are relevant in many countries, especially in light of recent global health crises.
AI Influence
There may be an underlying use of AI in crafting the article, particularly in data analysis and language structuring. AI models could assist in presenting statistics effectively, creating a narrative that emphasizes the urgency of the situation while guiding reader sentiment.
In conclusion, the article serves a dual purpose: it informs the public about NHS waiting times while also shaping perceptions of political accountability. Its reliability is moderately high, given the factual basis of the reported statistics, yet it could be seen as biased due to its framing and selective emphasis.