NHS waiting time failure review

The A&E unit at the University Hospital of Wales is not meeting its targets

Health Minister Edwina Hart has ordered two internal reviews into Cardiff and Vale NHS Trust for failing to reach waiting time targets.

She said she was "very disappointed" with its failure to reach key performance times in its A&E unit at Cardiff's University Hospital of Wales.

There are also concerns over the management of waiting lists for orthopaedic and heart treatments.

A spokeswoman for the trust said she was currently unable to comment.

In a statement, Ms Hart said the A&E unit had consistently been the worst performer against the four-hour and eight-hour targets given for seeing patients.

She also said her officials were concerned about whether orthopaedic patients were waiting longer than the current target of 22 weeks to be seen and treated.

At the end of May, the trust reported 157 orthopaedic inpatient/day cases which were not dealt with in the target times.

I have long argued that people in Cardiff and surrounding areas have been getting a lesser service than other parts of Wales, particularly when it comes to Accident and Emergency Jenny Randerson AM

Ms Hart has now ordered that about an extra 1,000 patients be treated before the end of March 2009 in order to meet the targets.

"The majority would need to be treated at other hospitals," she added.

She said she expected to receive the outcomes of the reviews in the autumn.

"I have decided that further external scrutiny of this organisation is necessary," she said.

"The two reviews I am announcing today will provide advice to the trust board about the fitness for purpose of the organisation in general, and its waiting list management processes in particular."

She added: "I take these matters very seriously. Performance targets are there to ensure that the public receives a guaranteed minimum level of service."

Welsh Liberal Democrat health spokeswoman Jenny Randerson said: "I have long argued that people in Cardiff and surrounding areas have been getting a lesser service than other parts of Wales, particularly when it comes to Accident and Emergency".

Ms Randerson, the Cardiff Central AM, said: "The challenge now is to look forward and deliver for patients."

But Conservative health spokesman and Cardiff North AM Jonathan Morgan said: "I am extremely concerned at this very direct, personal attack on the leadership of the NHS trust.

"It surprises me the health minister is seeking to behave in this way rather than working constructively with management."

Plaid Cymru's Chris Franks said: "I have raised the issue of the performance of the trust, particularly of the problems at the Accident and Emergency department on several occasions with ministers."