Tackling the planned care backlog in Wales: A commentary by the Auditor General for Wales (31 May 2022)

Summary

More must be done to avoid harm to patients while waiting for treatment.

The backlog for planned care is one of the biggest challenges for the NHS in Wales. Waiting times targets have not been met for many years. This backlog has been made much worse due to the pandemic.  

In February 2022, there were nearly 700,000 patients waiting for planned care, a 50% increase since February 2020. Over half of the people currently waiting have yet to receive their first outpatient appointment which means that they may not know what they’re suffering from and their care cannot be effectively prioritised.

Modelling shows it could take up to seven years or more to return waiting lists to pre-pandemic levels.

This report makes five recommendations based on what the Welsh Government needs to do as it implements its national plan.

Content

Recommendations

1. Working with health bodies to set appropriately ambitious delivery targets.
2. Producing a clear funding strategy including long term capital investment.
3. Developing a workforce plan to build and maintain planned care capacity.
4. Implementing system leadership arrangements to drive through the plan.
5. Ensuring its arrangements focus on managing clinical risks associated with long waits, supporting patients while they wait, and delivering care efficiently and effectively.