‘National scandal’ as patients wait years for NHS treatment
PEOPLE in some parts of South Wales are waiting far longer for operations on the Welsh NHS than others.
A deep dive into the data has revealed where people can expect to spend the most time waiting for an NHS procedure.
In what has been labelled a “national scandal” by Plaid Cymru, people in the South Wales Valleys are most likely to wait for more than a year, while those in North Wales are more likely to face waits of more than two years.
Most concerning is that the decline in people waiting more than two years for a procedure has slowed in many parts of Wales and in some areas has even increased since the start of 2023.
During the pandemic, the number of people waiting over two years for an operation skyrocketed and at one point was more than 70,000.
Wales-wide, the figure has come down fairly consistently over the past year but at a very slow rate.
We went through the data to look at how long people in different parts of Wales were waiting for their procedure. The figures are based on the health board area in which they live, not the health board they are waiting to have their procedure with.
Powys has not been included as the health board doesn’t perform operations and there are unexplained anomalies in the data.
All health boards experienced huge spikes in the number of two-year waits during the pandemic, with Swansea Bay and Cwm Taf Morgannwg, which covers Merthyr Tydfil, Rhondda Cynon Taf and Bridgend, seeing the largest.
Cardiff and Vale and Aneurin Bevan saw smaller peaks but have since stagnated.
All health boards except Betsi Cadwaladr have plateaued at roughly the same level. The Welsh Government says the reason for this is that a larger proportion of pathways are now at the “treatment stage” which takes longer than the diagnostic stage.
Betsi Cadwaladr, which covers North Wales and is the country’s largest health board, is not far off double the level of two-year waits for other health boards. It has been repeatedly put into special measures by the Welsh Government.
Dr Nick Lyons, executive medical director at Betsi Cadwaladr, said: “We apologise for the time patients have waited and we are doing everything we can to provide treatment as quickly as possible in order of clinical priority.
“A number of our services have been particularly challenged during recent years but over the last year considerable effort has gone into improvements in these areas.”
He added: “The number of patients waiting more than eight weeks for a diagnostic test has continued to fall significantly each month, with more than 5,900 people waiting in November 2023 compared to nearly 10,000 in November 2022. We know there is much more to do to improve our waiting times for treatments or appointments, in particular within some specialities.”
Worryingly, in many parts of Wales the number of people waiting more than a year for a procedure is increasing rapidly. Cardiff and Vale in particular has seen substantial growth.
What is also noteworthy is Betsi Cadwaladr had significantly higher rates than other parts of Wales even before the pandemic started in early 2020.
Plaid Cymru’s health and care spokesperson Mabon ap Gwynfor MS said: “The waiting times for treatment in Wales is a national scandal.
“The lack of movement in the right direction should lie directly at the door of the Labour Welsh Government, where we have seen a lack of action to get to grips with an emerging staffing crisis since before the pandemic.
“This could be resolved if only they would invested in growing the frontline staff of our hospitals and services, and improved working conditions.
“The government is putting pressure on the health service to tackle the longest waiting times. But this is the wrong approach. They should channel their resources to tackling the most urgent cases. By failing to do this, those in greatest need develop other conditions, which adds further pressures on our health service.
“To the many people in all parts of Wales who are currently waiting, many in pain, for routine treatments, looking at these figures will be incredibly concerning.
“Plaid Cymru believes that all options must be considered to get these waiting lists down as soon as possible.”
A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “Latest data shows the number of pathways waiting over two years are a third of the size of the peak in March 2022, are the lowest since August 2021 and have fallen for 22 consecutive months. The overall average wait for treatment is now 21.4 weeks.
“The pace of progress has slowed because more of the pathways are now at the treatment stage compared to two years ago (51% in January 2024 compared to 44% in April 2022) when we published our recovery plan. It takes more resources to close treatment pathways than pathways that close after outpatients or diagnostics.
“Also, the two-year waits are now across fewer specialities, down from 34 in April 2022 to 23 in January 2024. These include the specialties, like orthopaedics, urology and ophthalmology, that have historically had longer waits.
“We are helping health boards transform how they deliver treatment for these specialities to reduce waiting times.”
The Con Club Ogmore Vale:
Every Sunday night we have Bingo and
Quiz with Snowball hands and lucky number with prizes – all welcome.
Our function room is available for hire for weddings, birthday parties, hen parties, baby showers, and much more.
We also have stairlift access to take you upstairs, a snooker table, pool table, dartboards and juke box.
Contact 01656 840243 for more information.
The Inn Nantymoel: Come along and have some fab nights out with us all at the Inn.
Non-Political Club Ogmore Vale: Check at the club for information.
The Wyndham Arms Pub: For more information on club entertainment, this can be found at the club or on Facebook.
Wyndham Boys and Girls Club: We are open on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 5pm.
Mandy’s Cafe: We are open for sit downs meals and takeaway meals serving some wonderful food (including proper chips) and some fab cakes, etc.
We can deliver your food, or you can collect. We are open Monday to Saturday from 8am to 3pm.
Blackmill Over 50s: Blackmill
Over 50s meet at The community centre on Wednesday evenings at 7pm, always glad to welcome new members. This is a social gathering and occasionally a trip to the theatre or a meal out is arranged.
Nantymoel Knitters Class: We are members of a Knitting Club who live
All Saints Church, Penyfai:
All Saints Church, Penyfai, Sunday Service April 14 at 11am is a non-Eucharist Service.
St David’s Church, Laleston at 9.30am is a Eucharist Service.
St Teilo’s, Merthyr Mawr at 11am is also a Eucharist Service.
The three churches are part of the Ministry Area of Penybont ar Ogwr with St David’s Laleston, and St Teilo’s Merthyr Mawr and all are made welcome to attend.
If information is needed for the three churches please contact the
Rev Roger Pitman Team Vicar to the Ministry Area of Penybont ar Ogwr, at The Vicarage, Rogers lane, Laleston Bridgend CF32 OLB Telephone 01656 859 487, Email, vicar@the-vicarage. net.
If information is needed for the three churches please contact the
Rev Roger Pitman, team vicar to the ministry area of Penybont ar Ogwr, at The Vicarage, Rogers lane, Laleston Bridgend CF32 OLB. Call 01656 859487, Email, vicar@the-vicarage. net.
Warm Hub: On the last Thursday of every month All Saints Church, Penyfai, has been very successful in the Warm Hub initiative held in All Saints Church, Penyfai.
The next warm hub light lunch is scheduled for Thursday, April 25, from 12noon-2pm.
All are welcome at these events which are free of charge.
For more details, please contact
Mrs Jenny Morgan on 01656 722 953.
Smyrna Welsh Baptist Chapel, Penyfai: Information provided by Smyrna Welsh Baptist Chapel Penyfai.
The minister for Smyrna Chapel is the Rev Dorithy M Evans BA.
There is a service every Sunday at 6pm and on the first Sunday of the month there is Communion.
Also, in the vestry, there is a Tuesday coffee morning from 10amnoon; and Thursday evening Bible study from 6.30pm-8.30pm. Everyone is welcome.
Call Peter David on 01656 659 856 for more information.
Speeding Traffic: The speed limited is 20mph passing the children’s playground on Penyfai Common. Many drivers Are not keeping to the 20mph speed limit on this part of the Heol Tynygarn Road in the day. The police have powers to book irresponsible drivers who do not observe the 20mph speed limit through Penyfai.
Love 2 Walk Festival 2024: The free annual walking festival, organised by the Bridgend County Borough Council in partnership with the
Local Access Forum and a team of volunteers, call on local residents to lace up their walking boots or trainers to enjoy a programme of walks, each walk is led by a knowledgeable and experienced guide.
The Bridgend County Borough Council Rights of Way and the Bridgend local access forum have organised the Love 2 Walk festival again this Summer from Saturday, June 22 to Sunday, June 30.
If information is need on the Love 2 Walk Festival on how to book a place on the walks, please contact Andrew Mason, the Bridgend County Borough Council Rights of way manager, on 01656 642 537 or email andrew. mason@bridgend.gov.uk.
How the Bus Service Has Changed:
A good daily bus service is essential for the wellbeing of Bridgend county borough residents and certainly for Penyfai residents, it seems cuts and more cuts are on the agenda.
The Penyfai bus service has already been cut, residents do not have a dail bus service and feel very isolated.
Some years ago there was a daily bus service from Bridgend for Penyfai residents to visit Porthcawl, picking up passengers in Penyfai, Aberkenfig, Cefn Cribwr, Pyle, Maudlem, Kenfig Pool, Nottage and then ending in the Porthcawl Town Centre Bus Terminal before making the return journey back to Penyfai and to Bridgend Bus Station.
This was a well-used bus service that was taken out of commission. To reinstate this bus service would help the resident of Penyfai to reach their desinations.
Open Gardens Scheme: The Penyfai Village Community Association are working with the National Garden Scheme are planning an “Open Gardens” event this year ,and are asking the residents of Penyfai if they would like to help and showcase their gardens in aid of charity.
For more information or to register interest, please contact Jen Thomas on 01656 655 754.
The Penyfai Women’s Institute ( WI):
For further details on meetings and membership of the Penyfai branch of the WI, please contact Adele Hancock on 01656 646 372.
Community Council News:
The next meeting of the Newcastle Higher Community Council is on Tuesday, April 9 from 6.30pm – venue Tondu Primary School.
Under Questions and Observations from the Public at the meeting on February 13, I asked about the contact details of the Bridgend Community Transport Service and how residents of Penyfai can book a place.
Cllr Hewett advised that the service requires 48 hours notice and if people have a Bus Pass the transport service is free, otherwise it’s £2.50 for a single or £5 for a round trip. The clerk to the Newcastle Higher Community Council, Mr Harris Stone, has now sent me details of the Bridgend Community Transport Service.
The Community Transport Service caters for disabled people who need to get to health care appointments, the general public and also young people who need to access their workplace. And to use recreational leisure facilities.
The public can contact the Community Transport Service to make a pre-booking by telephone on 01656 669 665 or by email info@ bridgendcommunitytransport.co.uk.
I am very disappointed after many months the Police Community Support Officers have still not attended the meeting. The clerk confirmed, subject to their duties, they would try and attend the meeting. It was suggested an update would be beneficial for councillors and members of the public as crime figure are going up in Penyfai, Aberkenfig and Tondu, and a stronger PCSO officer presence is supported by the Newcastle Higher Community Council.
The Newcastle Higher Community Council Chairman, Mr Michael Flanagan, is a Penyfai community councillor. Contact details are: mflanagan999@gmail.com.
The council clerk, Mr Harris
Stone, will manage the clerk’s emails and will be happy to help with information and queries via: clerknewcastlehighercc@gmail.com.
Correspondence has been received by Cllr Flanagan to request assistance in petitioning BCBC for road safety for the children attending Penyfai school to cross the busy road safely in Heol Eglwys, Penyfai.
BCBC Highway offices have been to inspect the access off Heol Eglwys to the Penyfai Church in Wales school and the children’s crossing point outside Smyrna Chapel, Penyfai, with community councillors.
The signage suggested by the BCBC highway department is seen as the best course of action at the moment. The new signage has now arrived.
The priority is for the Penyfai Church in Wales pupils to cross the road to school in safety.
The Newcastle Higher Community Councillors are in favour that a crossing patrol person is still needed for Heol Eglwys – it is a very busy road.
The children’s play park on the Penyfai Common is the responsibly of the maintenance committee of the Newcastle Higher Community Council.
The councils works in partnership with Bridgend County Borough Council, who check the play equipment for any damage on a regular basis.
Litter is always a problem and this keeps the litter pickers very busy.
They do a very good job of keeping the Penyfai Common land and play park clean and safe for families and children to use. Dog fowling bins have also been provided.
As spring is officially with us the Newcastle Higher Community Council Maintenance and Wellbeing Committee is very busy with the Maintenance of the Community Woodland Aberkenfig.
The Aberkenfig village square is now the responsibility of the Joint Committees of the Newcastle Higher Community Council.
Hanging baskets of flowers are back on the agenda next month for Penyfai Aberkenfig and the Pentre Feline Estate Tondu, and the cutting of the pheasant field.
Pheasant Field Maintenance:
A joint report is to be given to the Newcastle Higher Community Council in their next meeting on April 12. Disabled access to the Pheasant Field is part of the ongoing agenda for the community councillors and also the defibrillator training in the Welfare Hall.
Penyfai County Borough Council Ward Member:
Councillor Heidi Bennett is the Bridgend County Borough Councillor for the Penyfai Ward.
If you do need to contact Cllr Heidi Bennett urgently, the number to ring is 07405 208 985 or by email at cllr. heidi.bennett@bridgend.gov.uk.
Welsh Blood Service: Welsh Government Senedd Member Altaf Hussain has reported that the Welsh Blood Service still needs your help.
Please phone the Welsh Blood service Donor Engagement Coordinator Paul Chiplin on 07795 831 889 or email paul.chiplin@wales. nhs.uk.
1st Penyfai Scout Group: Scouting is open to boys and girls under the auspices of the Scout movement. Meetings are held at the Scout and Guide Hall, Court Colman Road, Penyfai (except summer holidays). For boys there is Cubs and Scouts. Please contact by email Zoe Plumley at zoeplumley@outlook.com.
Penyfai Guides: The Penyfai Guides are looking for children to join the group in Penyfai. Contact Pippa O’Neil on 07480 825 532.
The Porthcawl Music and Flower festival committee are frantically fundraising, as the event this year is June 29. Once again it will be in All Saints Church, Victoria Avenue.
The title of the day will be Midsummer Rainbow, so there will be colour in the blossoms and in the music!
Those of you who enjoyed The Bandits last year will be thrilled to hear that they are opening the proceedings again followed by CÔl Canto, Saxidentals, the fascinating Saxophone quartet, along with the remarkable prize-winning young pianist Koto Gutrai.
There will also be a flower arranging workshop. The 2023 Festival was delighted to see some under 12s giving the workshop a try and producing some very successful arrangements.
The final performance of the day will be Porthcawl Community Orchestra, conducted by Jack Bridger. The orchestra has an extra special programme in preparation.
We will have some smaller flower arrangements as part of the displays this year.
The Music and Flower Festival committee has decided that they will be for sale at the end of the day, so you could be taking home part of the Midsummer Rainbow.
Perhaps some of you will know that June 29 is the 200th Anniversary of the RNLI.
The committee has decided that the “on the day charity bucket collection” will go to the Porthcawl branch of the RNLI.
Porthcawl Branch of the Royal British Legion:
The Porthcawl Branch of the Royal British Legion meets in the Griffith Park Bowl’s Pavilion at 7pm on the third Thursday of every month, and you can be assured of a warm welcome.
Porthcawl Veterans Hub:
The hub really is a great meeting place for anyone who has been in the Services. Everybody has a tale to tell.
I joined the group last year and have been a regular attendee since then.
There are about six or seven of us in Porthcawl that meet for lunch in The Globe, in Newton, on the third Thursday of every month.
Farmers’ Market, Griffin Park Community Centre, CF36 5DN:
The Porthcawl Farmers’, and Artisans’ Market is in Griffin Park on the third Saturday of every month with all the usual stalls and the organizers are extremely proud to support local small businesses.
It opens to the general public between 10am and 2pm.
For any further information look for them on Facebook and Instagram under porthcawlindoormarket@ gmail.com.
On Thursdays, between 11am and noon there is an exercise class for people who have had hip replacements.
The Friday table top sale is also back in Griffin Park from 8am to noon every Friday with all the usual stalls and refreshments.
Note also that there is a meditation session in Griffin Park every Wednesday at 6pm and that bingo is back with sessions every Thursday afternoon, from 1pm to 3pm, and every Thursday evening and Saturday evening from 6-9pm.