Fall and rise of waiting lists

Hospital waiting lists in Wales experienced mixed fortunes

Hospital waiting lists in Wales fell last month, according to government figures.

The number of people waiting for treatment in hospitals in Wales dropped by 400, National Assembly for Wales statistics revealed.

The waiting lists have now fallen for two consecutive months.

However, outpatient lists rose by over 4,000 in July, with nearly a quarter of outpatients waiting more than six months for attention.

Health Secretary Jane Hutt asked hospitals to cut waiting lists

There were rises in the number of orthopaedic patients waiting 12 months and in the number of outpatients waiting for opthamology appointments.

The National Assembly gave Wales's five health authorities an extra £40m in June, on condition they devise plans to meet new targets.

Iechyd Morgannwg Health Authority was told to reduce its inpatients waiting list by 2,000.

Gwent Health Authority saw a small drop in outpatient lists but a rise in inpatient figures, the figures show.