David Chadwick, MP for Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe, has accused Powys Teaching Health Board of “artificially extending waiting times” for patients referred to hospitals in England. Speaking in the House of Commons, Mr Chadwick said that the UK Government claims that Wales is receiving record-breaking funding to tackle NHS waiting lists, but for his constituent, Melanie Walker, the reality is the opposite. He highlighted the case of Ms Walker, who has already waited 59 weeks for a hip operation and now faces an additional 45-week delay. He said the health board was aligning waiting times for treatment in Shropshire and Herefordshire with the longer NHS Wales targets, resulting in extended waits for patients. Mr Chadwick asked Welsh Secretary, Jo Stevens, if she thought that is fair to Melanie or consistent with her Government’s pledge to reduce waiting times. Video from parliamentlive.tv
