5 days ago
- Business
- Powys County Times
Over 80 Powys patients left waiting two years for treatment
The First Minister of Wales revealed that more than 80 patients in Powys have been kept waiting over two years for treatment, when asked by Montgomeryshire's MS.
After the First Minister of Wales, Eluned Morgan MS, revealed that at least 80 Powys patients are still waiting more than two years for their treatment, Montgomeryshire MS Russell George accused the Welsh Government of 'contradicting' itself.
With the figure of waiting patients revealed during questions to the First Minister, the Montgomeryshire MS pointed out that a recent Welsh Government press release claimed that Powys Health Board had no patients waiting more than two years for treatment.
The First Minister said that many Powys patients are facing long waits, as part of news that the Welsh Government's target to reduce waiting lists by Spring 2025 had been missed.
Responding to a question from Russell George MS, the First Minister said: 'There are about 81 people in Powys waiting for two years for treatment, 40 of them waiting for treatment in England. It's England that's slow.'
Commenting after questions to the First Minister, Mr George said: 'The First Minister's response to me was bizarre and contradictory.
'She does not seem to acknowledge that recent Welsh Government statements that Powys patients are not waiting more than two years for treatment were incorrect but then goes onto confirm at least 80 patients in Powys are waiting for over two years.
'What's deeply concerning is the Welsh Government's apparent misunderstanding of how healthcare is delivered in Powys. We don't have a district general hospital in the county, and our health board commissions care from hospitals in England and across Wales.
'Rather than taking responsibility, the First Minister then attempted to shift the blame onto NHS England. This was bizarre, as from next month, Powys patients will face even longer delays because the Welsh Government refuses to fund Powys Teaching Health Board to a point where it is able to buy healthcare capacity in England based on English waiting times.
'English hospitals have capacity to treat Powys patients more quickly but are being instructed not to due to funding arrangements from the Welsh Government.
'The people of Powys deserve honesty and action and not excuses. The Welsh Government must ensure fair access to treatment, whether that care is delivered in Wales or across the border.'
