More patients in Wales wait for 26 weeks

Nearly 3,500 patients waited more than 26 weeks for referral for hospital treatment in Wales during January, new figures show.

The number of people missing the target rose by 1,900 compared with the previous month.

Ministers say if an allowance is made for complex treatment the NHS in Wales is within target.

The 26 week waiting time is one of the Welsh Assembly Government's key health pledges.

In 2005, it was pledged that by last December no patient would wait more than 26 weeks for treatment after being referred by their GP.

Figures released last month showed that target had been narrowly missed by the Welsh Assembly Government, with 99.3% patients were on target for treatment.

But the assembly government insisted it had met an updated target of 95%, introduced last August, which allows for exceptions based on clinical need.