Surgeons: waiting list progress ‘too slow’

The waiting list for hospital treatment in Wales has risen after three months of progress.  

In May 2025, 796,148 patient pathways were waiting for treatment, up from 789,929 in April 2025. Analysis of referral to treatment waiting times data for May 2025 reveals 162,958 patient pathways were waiting longer than one year, and 10,254 were waiting longer than two years. None of the Welsh Government’s targets have been met. 

Last month, the Royal College of Surgeons of England (RCS England) said that the £120 million package of funding announced by the Health Secretary Jeremy Miles will go some way in helping reduce long waits for planned care. However, they warned that the scale of waiting lists requires a longer-term strategy, including an expansion in surgical hubs and increased investment.  

Responding to the latest figures, Professor Jon Barry, Director for Wales at the Royal College of Surgeons of England (RCS England), said:  

“Another month has passed with little to no progress in addressing large waiting lists across Wales. Expanding surgical hubs remains the most promising chance to reduce delays.  However, development in this area seems to have stalled. 

“We urge the Welsh Government to acknowledge the gravity of the situation and act decisively, expanding surgical hubs, to deliver the meaningful reduction in waiting times that patients across Wales are still waiting to see materialise.” 

ENDS  

Notes to editors:   

1. Data for patients waiting over one and two years to start treatment is drawn from the Welsh Government’s NHS activity and performance summary: May 2025 and June 2025: https://www.gov.wales/nhs-activity-and-performance-summary-may-and-june-2025-html 

2. There were 796,148 patient pathways waiting to start treatment at the end of May 2025. There were 789,929 patient pathways waiting to start treatment at the end of April 2025.  

3. Full, historical Stats Wales Referral to Treatment Waiting Times: https://statswales.gov.wales/Catalogue/Health-and-Social-Care/NHS-Hospital-Waiting-Times/Referral-to-Treatment/patientpathwayswaitingtostarttreatment-by-month-groupedweeks  

4. The Health Foundation carried out a study on the effects of surgical hubs in 2024: https://www.health.org.uk/press-office/press-releases/new-surgical-hubs-could-speed-up-efforts-to-tackle-hospital-waiting  

5. The Royal College of Surgeons of England (RCS 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 career. 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.  

6. For more information, please contact the RCS England press office: telephone: 020 7869 6054/6047; email: pressoffice@rcseng.ac.uk; out-of-hours media enquiries: 0207 869 6056.