FIGURES which have been published today reveal that the Welsh Labour Government missed key health performance targets again. These missed targets mean one in five patients is forced to wait over six months from referral to treatment.

In July of this year, 80.8 per cent of patients were treated within 26 weeks, while 92.2 per cent treated within 36 weeks, the Welsh Government’s target is 95 per cent to be treated within 26 weeks.

Darren Millar AM, shadow minister for health, said: “These figures show how many Welsh patients are waiting more than half a year to begin NHS treatment following a diagnosis, breaking yet more Labour targets.

“Waiting to begin treatment following a shock medical diagnosis can be a distressing time for patients and their families.

“Beginning treatment promptly is important for the patient’s prospects for recovery and can also prevent patients requiring more complex and expensive surgery.

“Welsh Labour has imposed the UK’s worst financial settlement on the Welsh NHS and this legacy of record-breaking cuts has placed enormous pressure on frontline staff, axed beds and lengthened patient waiting times.

“Labour Ministers must get a grip on excessively long waiting times in the Welsh NHS, resulting from Labour’s legacy of cuts and centralisation agenda, which is making it even more difficult for staff to deliver for patients.”