Welsh NHS sees waiting list fall

NHS Trusts in Wales have met government targets for patients being able to see consultants within 22 weeks, the Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) has announced.

Official figures show that the patient waiting list fell from 5,565 to zero in March and only five patients in the country waited more than the target to see a consultant.

First minister Rhodri Morgan and health minister Edwina Hart congratulated NHS staff on their achievement.

Mr Morgan added the situation had been fostered by the WAG’s “significant extra investment in more staff and new buildings and equipment”.

Ms Morgan noted that new targets for the NHS meant that by March 2009 patients would not wait more than ten weeks for a consultant’s appointment, followed by a maximum of 14 weeks in which to receive treatment.

“From the figures released today ? I am confident that we are well on course to achieve these targets next year,” she concluded.

Meanwhile, hospitals in Wales have introduced a campaign called 1,000 Lives, which aims to promote good hygiene and drug management practices.