This story was first published in digitalhealth.net
£50 million to cut waiting times in Wales
Welsh Health Minister Vaughan Gething has announced £50 million funding to cut waiting times for elective procedures, building on the good progress made in the last three years.
This year’s allocation also includes funding for projects to support improvements in emergency departments and to support people to leave hospital and avoid readmission.
Since 2016, the Welsh Government has invested £150 million to cut some of the longest waiting times, resulting in some of the best performances in over six years, with three health boards reporting no one waiting over 36 weeks for treatment.
Data shows that, by the end of March 2019, the number of people waiting over 26 weeks was the best position since July 2013, the position for those waiting over 36 week was the best since May 2013, and the number of people waiting over 14 weeks for therapy services was 98% lower than March 2018 and the best position ever reported.
Improvements were noted in six of the seven health boards, with three health boards reporting no one waiting over 36 weeks at the end of March and two other health boards reporting a position better than their profile.
Gething said: “Over the last three years we have invested £150 million to significantly cut waiting times for patients waiting beyond our target. As of March this year, three health boards reported no one waiting over 36 weeks and overall we’ve seen the best position in some areas for six years.
“But I want to see more improvement in all areas and the £50 million I am announcing today will support Health Boards to deliver further reduction in waiting times. The money will also help with the introduction of sustainable services, alongside our plan for health and social care, A Healthier Wales backed by £100 million which will deliver the long term changes needed to transform services. Health boards will need to meet the targets they set out in order to receive the full funding. I expect to see significant improvements on waiting times as we have in the last three years.”
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