Responding to the news that waiting lists are seven times longer than a year ago, Plaid Cymru Shadow Health Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth MS said,

“At the start of the pandemic we were asked to stay at home to save the NHS but the truth is it’s been in need of saving for a long time. We’re paying the price for centralising services, failing to plan our workforce and ultimately stripping our health service of its resilience. Now we hear that the waiting lists – already long – have multiplied seven times.

“Welsh Government needs to urgently look at ways for fast-tracking those on waiting lists for routine surgery and I’ve reiterated my calls for the creation of more ‘Green’ COVID-free, or ‘COVID-light’ hospitals. Welsh Government must ensure that hospitals are able to create safe environments so that people can be confident in attending for routine procedures, so these unacceptably long waiting lists can be managed.”