Welsh Liberal Democrat Health Spokesperson, Peter Black, has criticised the way in which patient waiting times appear to be manipulated so as to meet Government targets, following the release of new statistics.
The statistics, released today, show that the number of patients who had to wait longer than 14 weeks (the standard set by the government) for an inpatient or day case appointment in March 2009 was only 288, but by November this had risen to 8,285 patients. For outpatient appointments, the number having to wait more than 10 weeks or over (the standard set by the government) in March 2009 was only 26 patients and by November this had risen to 22,304.
Peter Black said:
“I am very concerned at the pattern evident in these statistics that indicate that meeting Government targets is more important than the welfare of patients. There was a massive drop in waiting times which coincided to the meeting of targets at the end of the financial year, only for them to spiral out of control soon after. I welcome the effort put in by Health Boards to meet the targets during March, but what are they achieving if they then let the problems return?”
“The wait for treatment should not depend on what part of the financial year you are diagnosed in. This target led strategy means patients are being treated only in ways that will massage figures. It is simply unfair that patients could have to wait so much longer depending on when in the year they were diagnosed.”
“The Minister needs to get a grip on this. The Government has set these targets and must ensure that they are implemented sensibly by the Health Service. Creating a problem throughout the year and then solving it in spring is not a sensible way of meeting targets. Targets should exist only to serve patients, but right now they seem to be working against many rather than working for them.”
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