Waiting Times in North Wales Remain Among the Highest in Wales Despite Reported National Improvements

Patients in North Wales continue to face some of the longest NHS waiting times in Wales, despite recent Welsh Government figures suggesting a record monthly reduction in the overall number of people waiting for treatment.

While the latest national data indicates a fall in long waits across Wales, figures show that the majority of patients waiting two years or more for treatment are based in North Wales, raising renewed questions over regional inequalities within the Welsh NHS and whether recent improvements are being felt evenly across the country.

Concerns have also been heightened by ongoing pressure on emergency services. A&E attendances remain high, with no clear sign of easing demand. This comes as both Conwy County Borough Council and Denbighshire County Council have formally declared health emergencies, citing sustained strain on local health and care services and a lack of visible relief for frontline provision.

Further controversy has surrounded the accuracy of recent waiting list data in North Wales. A review at Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board found that waiting list figures had been underreported over a five-month period.

Between April and August last year, more than 11,600 cumulative cases across North Wales were not captured in published figures for planned treatment. The discrepancy prompted a review of data collection processes after anomalies were identified in November. During the review, publication of waiting list figures for the following two months was temporarily paused while the issues were investigated and corrected.

The revelations have intensified political scrutiny, with concerns that official statistics may not have fully reflected the scale of delays facing patients across the region.

Janet Finch-Saunders, Senedd Member for Aberconwy, said:

“While the Welsh Government says NHS waiting times are coming down in Wales, that simply isn’t the reality for many patients in North Wales with figures showing that the majority of the people waiting two years for treatment is in North Wales.

North Wales continues to have some of the highest waiting times in Wales, with long delays for outpatient appointments, diagnostics and planned treatments remaining a serious concern. I have had too many constituents still waiting over a year to be treated for dermatology issues, gall bladder surgeries, also hernia and endoscopy treatments.

Where you live should not determine how long you wait for NHS care. Until waiting times come down consistently in North Wales, claims of progress will ring hollow for patients and families who are still being left behind.”

The Welsh Government has previously pointed to increased NHS spending and national targets aimed at reducing long waits, but critics argue that headline improvements mask persistent regional disparities — particularly in North Wales, where staffing pressures, capacity constraints and historical performance challenges continue to affect access to care.

As updated figures are absorbed, campaigners and elected representatives are calling for clearer accountability and targeted action to ensure that reductions in waiting times are experienced consistently across all parts of Wales, rather than concentrated in specific regions.

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Sources

• Welsh Government NHS waiting times statistics

• Review findings on waiting list data accuracy at Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board

• Statements from Conwy County Borough Council and Denbighshire County Council on local health pressures