Long waiting times fallen by two-thirds over four months
Tackling waiting times is a priority for the Welsh Government and this was exemplified last week when an additional £120m package of support was announced to enable the NHS to build on the progress made to date.
Long waiting times have fallen by two-thirds over the last four months and the Welsh Government is determined to deliver a stronger, more sustainable NHS for the people of Wales.
The new funding will result in even more patients having faster access to treatment, with the overall size of the waiting list reduced by 200,000 and all two-year waits eliminated entirely by March 2026.
This positive trend is reflected in North Wales with Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) confirming that since the turn of the year, the number of patients waiting more than two years for treatment reduced from 10,070 in December 2024 to 5,747 in March 2025, an improvement of 43%.
While there is still work to do, we are heading in the right direction.
It is often the negative stories that garner the most attention but it is right to publicise the successes and pay tribute to the hardworking staff who regularly go above and beyond the call of duty. Recently, in the Senedd, I was pleased to highlight the exceptional work of BCUHB staff following correspondence I received from constituents praising the treatment and care they received.
Congratulations to everyone who took part in the Race for Life at Alyn Waters Country Park.
I had the pleasure of kicking off the race by sounding the starting horn and also handed out medals at the finish line.
The weather was glorious and the atmosphere was uplifting.
Organisers were confident of raising £35,000 and I wish to thank all the runners who signed up and helped raise valuable funds for Cancer Research UK.
Alyn Waters is the place to be this weekend too with the Walk for Parkinson's scheduled to take place on Saturday (28 June).
It's the first time this annual event has been held in North Wales and Parkinson's UK is encouraging people to sign up.
The event consists of 2 walk options, a shorter, fully accessible 1.7-mile route or a longer more challenging 6-mile route.
There is a large population of people living in North Wales with Parkinson's, and as the fastest growing neurological condition, this is set to grow further. There is an active support group in Wrexham and participating in the Walk for Parkinson's will make a difference to not only those affected by Parkinson's in Wrexham, but across North Wales.
Further information can be found on the Parkinson's UK Cymru website.
If you're a constituent in Wrexham and there is an issue I could help you with, please contact me via email: lesley.griffiths@senedd.wales or call 01978 355743.
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