Surgeons - respond to Welsh Government announcement on funding to cut the NHS Wales waiting list and end two-year waits for treatment

Commenting on the Welsh Government announcement on funding to cut the NHS Wales waiting list and end two-year waits for treatment, Professor Jon Barry, Director in Wales at the Royal College of Surgeons of England (RCS England), said:   

“There have been welcome signs of progress in tackling waiting lists during the first three months of this Welsh Government term, including the creation of an expert group to develop plans for expanding surgical hubs by the end of the year.

“Increasing capacity for the operations where patients are waiting longest, alongside improvements to referrals and follow-up care, should help more patients get treatment sooner.

“Behind every waiting list figure is a patient whose life is on hold. Delivering these ambitions will depend on continued support for the NHS workforce, whose dedication is central to reducing waits and improving patient care.”

ENDS 
  
Notes to editors: 

1. Patients to benefit from faster diagnosis and treatment under NHS Wales reforms | GOV.WALES 
2. The Elective Care Expert Group was established in June 2026: Expert group to plan new surgery hubs to cut NHS waiting times | Welsh Government News.  Professor Jon Barry, RCS England Director for Wales, has been appointed to the Elective Care Expert Group, bringing experience as both a practising surgeon and College Council member to inform the development of new surgical hubs across Wales.  Surgeons welcome progress on Welsh surgical hub expansion - Royal College of Surgeons  
3. Surgical hubs are dedicated facilities for planned procedures that can help protect elective surgery from disruption and increase the number of operations that can be carried out. RCS England has previously called for increased investment in surgical hubs as part of efforts to reduce waiting times.  
4. The Royal College of Surgeons of England provides world-class education, assessment, and development to 30,000 surgeons, dental professionals, and members of the wider surgical and dental care teams at all stages of their careers. Our vision is to see excellent surgical care for everyone. We do this by setting professional standards, facilitating research, and championing the best outcomes for patients.   
5. For further information, please contact the Royal College of Surgeons of England press office on 020 7869 6053/6054/6047 or pressoffice@rcseng.ac.uk.