Welsh Government response to the latest NHS performance data

A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “The Covid-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on our health and social care system. The pausing of non-emergency care and the need to introduce new infection prevention and control measures has led to record waiting times for treatment. The service faces an enormous challenge in recovering.

We are now starting to see patient demand return to, or exceed, pre-pandemic levels for Welsh Ambulance Service and emergency department staff, at a time when PPE and other infection control requirements remain in place. Health Boards are working to put in place new ways of working to ensure patients can be seen safely and as quickly as possible. We have also made £25m available to transform urgent and emergency care.

Last month the Health Minister set out plans to help the service recover, supported by an initial £100m investment. As the Minister set-out this process will take at least the length of this Senedd term and will require innovation in delivering care. We will continue to work closely with health boards and social care providers to drive this work forward.”