‘Two strikes, you’re out’: ambitious plans to cut NHS waiting times

Local TV

Welsh health secretary Jeremy Miles has announced new Welsh government plans to kick people who miss two planned health appointments off the list, as part of “new patient deal” to cut record waiting times.

Transcript

00:00A major shake-up of the NHS in Wales is on its way, with the Health Secretary announcing

00:07an ambitious new strategy aimed at cutting down the country's record waiting lists.

00:12A big part of the strategy is what's being called a new patient deal, where patients

00:16will be given better tracking tools throughout the NHS Wales app and clearer information

00:21about how long they're likely to wait.

00:24But it comes with a catch as patients will now be offered two dates for treatment and

00:28if they miss both of those without good reason, they'll be removed from the waiting list.

00:32That's in response to figures showing that around 700,000 outpatient appointments are

00:37missed or cancelled every year across Wales.

00:40The Health Secretary says that the number is far too high and is causing serious delays

00:45for the health service, adding that missed appointments delay care for everyone and waste

00:50valuable resources that could be helping other people.

00:54The new approach only means people who are healthy and ready for surgery will be added

00:59to the surgical waiting list, because the evidence shows those in better health recover

01:03faster and use fewer hospital resources.

01:06The NHS will also help people get healthier and in preparation for surgery.

01:11A spokesperson for the Welsh Conservatives say the party welcomes the plans but says

01:15more needs to be done to help massive waiting lists and get people the care they need.

01:20Plaid Cymru also backed elements of the plans but says that more preventative help needs

01:24to take place before putting accountability on patients.

01:29The government says it's a big step but a necessary one, hoping that with clearer information

01:34and a shared responsibility between patients and the NHS, treatment can be faster and fairer

01:39for everyone.

01:40James Beach Watkins, reporting for Local TV.

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