“NHS Wales performance stable, despite growing demand” – Vaughan Gething

The latest statistics show: 

• 79.4% of immediately life-threatening ambulance calls received a response within 8 minutes in May 2017, above the 65% target, which means the target performance has been met above 70% for 13 consecutive months. The median response time for this category of calls has remained less than 5 minutes since August 2016. Around 50% of amber calls were responded to in around 14 minutes
• The target for non-urgent cancer performance in April 2017 was met for the first time since May 2016 – with 624 out of 635 people (98.3%) seen within 31 days, exceeding the 98% target. Urgent cancer performance remains at its highest since November 2014,  with 502 people out of 562 seen within 62 days
• Referral to treatment performance has remained stable since early 2016. In April 2017, 86.7% of patient pathways had been waiting less than 26 weeks to start treatment, the best April performance since 2014
• The number of people experiencing delayed transfers of care from hospital in May 2017 remains close to record lows, despite the increasing demand for health and social care services
• The number of people waiting over 8 weeks for a diagnostic test in April 2017 is the second lowest since March 2011 and the lowest April figure since April 2010
• In May 2017, fewer patients spent 12 hours or more in an emergency care facility, from arrival until admission, transfer or discharge compared to May 2016
• Demand for NHS services is increasing across every single activity and performance measure monitored included in the monthly report. 

Health Secretary, Vaughan Gething said: 

“Our health and social care services continue to experience increasing demand – but despite that, the statistics released today show the vast majority of people continue to be seen within access and treatment targets. 

“Recognising the ongoing growth in demand and costs of services, we’re investing more than ever before in health and social services.  

“I want to thank NHS and social care staff for the tireless work they do to deliver first class services across the country. Together, we will continue to do everything we can to drive up performance so that every patient receives timely, quality care.”