NHS in Wales 'No Longer Reliable' Due to Long Waiting Times, Says BMA Cymru Chairwoman

The head of the British Medical Association (BMA) in Wales has said that the NHS in Wales is no longer reliable due to long waiting times, which can lead to the deterioration of patients' health.

The Welsh government has invested £1bn to cut waiting lists, but Dr Iona Collins, the BMA Cymru chairwoman, believes that the current situation is unacceptable.

Patients are waiting for long periods for treatment, and one patient, Stephen Clee, has been waiting for a hip operation for two and a half years.

The situation is putting pressure on the NHS, which is facing challenges due to Covid-19 and strikes over pay.

Dr Collins said that the NHS should celebrate its ability to train some of the best medics in the world, but it is "squandering that expertise" due to a lack of resources and funding.

The Covid-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the health service in Wales, with the Welsh government investing an extra £1bn to address the backlog of patients on the waiting list.

The number of two-year waits has been halved in the past year, and the government has also provided a pay rise for NHS staff and increased funding for training.

Additionally, the government is investing in innovation, community beds, and new services to meet increasing demand.

However, the health service has been affected by the pandemic, and the "stuffing has been kicked out of the health service" according to Prof Marcus Longley.