NHS Patients Face Longer Waiting Times

NHS patients from Wales who need knee and hip operations in England must now endure longer waiting times, after a health authority asked English hospitals to apply Welsh waiting times. The Powys Health Board announced the change because it could not afford to have operations carried out across the border at the speed they were being done.

Impact on Patients

Patients who were initially told they would have to wait 12 months for their operations are now facing an additional 45-week wait. Mel Wallace, a 59-year-old from Powys, is one such patient. She was initially told she would have to wait 12 months for her hip replacement, but now faces a further 45-week wait after already waiting for 59 weeks. Wallace enjoyed walking with her dogs, gardening, going to the gym, and driving her motorcycle, but now struggles to get out of the car or put on her socks.

Reason for the Change

The Powys Teaching Health Board (PTHB) spends almost 40% of its budget on services outside of its own area, as it does not have its own general district hospital. The latest figures show that there were 10,254 waiting times of two years or more for planned treatments in Wales, compared to only 158 in England. The Welsh government said it is still "obliged to shorten waiting times and ensure everyone in Wales has fair and timely access to treatment".

Financial Constraints

The application of NHS Wales waiting times would save £16.4 million, but the Welsh government would have to intervene in the finances, strategy, and planning of the Health Board to address serious concerns. This means people from Powys are exposed to longer waiting times for some procedures, but excludes high-risk patients, including children and cancer patients.

Patient Reactions

Patients have expressed frustration and disappointment at the change, with some feeling they are being "discriminated against" because they live in Wales. Stephen Evans, a 65-year-old from Builth Wells, was planned for a double knee replacement and was told his first operation in Hereford would be "within the next few weeks". However, when he called the hospital to follow up, he was informed that his wait would take at least another year.

Health Board Response

The managing director of the Health Board, Hayley Thomas, said the changes were made to ensure the Health Board lives within its means and cannot spend money it does not have. She added that the Health Board has to pursue a fairer approach that protects essential services for everyone. However, patients and local MPs have called for the guideline to be canceled, and for the waiting times of those already on the list to be honored.

Concerns from Other Health Trusts

The Wye Valley NHS Trust has expressed concerns about the impact of the change, with its managing director, Jane Ives, stating that 10,000 appointments or elective procedures would be affected. The Shropshire and Community NHS Trust said it would continue to prioritize patient care based on clinical need. The Liberal Democratic MP for Brecon, Radnor, and CWM Tawe, David Chadwick, said the decision is not good enough and called on the Welsh government to ensure the Powys Health Board has enough funds to process patients faster.