Betsi data probe ends as new waiting figures released
The Welsh Government has published revised and updated data following the conclusion of an investigation into waiting time reporting by Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board.
Health Secretary Jeremy Miles said the updated figures show progress in reducing the longest waits across Wales.
“Today’s figures show we are on the right path to reduce the longest waits and cut the size of the waiting list,” he said.
“This has only been possible thanks to the commitment of our fantastic NHS staff and the extra funding provided by the Welsh Government to ensure tens of thousands more appointments are delivered.”
According to the government, the number of people waiting more than a year for a first outpatient appointment fell by 10,400 in October compared to September, while the overall waiting list decreased by around 9,200. Provisional data for November suggests further reductions to come.
A record number of patient pathways, almost 139,000, were closed in October, reflecting high levels of planned care activity across Wales.
Mr Miles said he was pleased the investigation into Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board’s waiting time data management had concluded.
“The revised data shows a small number of patient pathways have been added to the figures between April and August as a result,” he said.
“I want to be clear this was a data management issue and not a patient treatment issue. Procedures and processes have been tightened.”
Referral-to-treatment (RTT) waiting time data for Betsi Cadwaladr had been suspended in November while an external investigation was carried out into the quality and governance of its reporting.
The Health Secretary ordered the review following discussions with the Welsh Government’s Chief Statistician after concerns were raised about inconsistencies between reported waiting lists and operational activity levels.
The investigation focused on planned care data and was led by experts from Digital Health and Care Wales, NHS Wales Performance and Improvement, the Chief Statistician’s team and a peer representative from another health board. It examined data collection, quality assurance and reporting processes, and made recommendations to strengthen governance.
The Chief Statistician decided that national RTT statistics would continue to be published but without Betsi Cadwaladr’s data until the review was complete.
The Office for Statistics Regulation was informed.
Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, which serves more than 700,000 people across North Wales and employs around 19,000 staff, remains in level 5 special measures. It has been subject to Welsh Government intervention since February 2023, following earlier periods between 2015 and 2020.
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