'Fit and well' surgery waitlist details to be revealed in Wales

More details on plans to only add people who are "fit and well" to surgery waiting lists and crack down on missed appointments are expected to be revealed on Monday.

Health Secretary Jeremy Miles will give a speech to health leaders on the Welsh government's bid to cut waiting lists by around one quarter by March 2026.

Hospital volunteer John Timmons, 70, said he saw "a ridiculous number" of patients not turning up for appointments and would support the plans.

But health equality charity, Fair Treatment for the Women of Wales (FTWW), said "fear of weight stigma" could delay some people from seeking help.

The proposed changes are part of a number of Welsh government ideas being discussed to improve the NHS, which has recently seen small reductions in record waiting lists.

These include:

• Patients who miss hospital appointments twice or more being referred back to their GP, in effect placing them at the back of the queue.
• An improved Welsh NHS app, allowing patients to track their progress through the system and make or amend appointments.
• Increased levels of intervention to get patients fit for surgery, such as people being asked to lose weight or exercise more before they are placed on a waiting list.

The Welsh government said patients who were fit and well before surgery were more likely to recover quickly and support would be given to get them "in the best possible shape" for treatment.

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Source: BBC News, 6 April 2025