Welsh Government response to latest NHS Wales performance data

The Welsh Government has responded to the latest NHS Performance data published today (21 October).

A Welsh Government spokesperson said:

“The latest data shows pressure on our health and care system continues to grow. But our hardworking health and social care staff continue to deliver high quality care when people need it.

Today the Minister has published the Winter Plan which sets out how we will ensure essential services continue and minimise the impact on planned care. This is supported by extra funding for social services to help free up hospital beds.

It’s encouraging to see improved performance against the 62 day target for cancer services. But COVID is still with us and restrictions and measures to keep our health settings safe are still massively reducing capacity to carry out planned care.

We recognise the need to transform services to tackle longer-term issues and in recent months we have invested an extra £248m to help tackle the waiting list backlog.

We have also developed with Health Boards new ways of working for emergency care supported by an extra £25m a year.

This winter everyone can help our NHS by getting the flu jab as well as COVID and consider options like pharmacies and the 111 online service for non-urgent healthcare.”