Joyce congratulates NHS staff on record low waiting times for scans

JOYCE WATSON AM has congratulated NHS staff across Wales for their hard work in further reducing the time patients wait for diagnostic and therapy services.

New figures show that the number of people waiting more than the Assembly Government’s 14-week target for a diagnostic test, like an MRI or CT scan, endoscopy, ultrasound and echocardiogram fell from 1,874 in February to two in March.

Waits for therapy treatment, such as physiotherapy, speech and language therapy, occupational therapy together with audiology services saw a fall from 310 waiting more than the 24-week target in February to two in March.

These targets were set for March 2008. Six months ago 5,180 patients were waiting over 14 weeks for diagnostic tests and 1,675 waited more than 24 weeks for therapy and audiology services.

Labour Assembly Member for Mid and West Wales JOYCE WATSON AM said:

"I must praise our NHS staff who have worked so hard under such difficult conditions to meet these challenging waiting times targets. We have some of the best health workers in the world here in Wales. This comes a few weeks after the news of falls in inpatient/day case and outpatient appointment waiting times.

"I am proud that our Welsh Assembly Government has increased investment in staff and equipment in order to cut waiting times. The announcement in February of £33million of funding for new equipment including an MRI scanner, x-ray and endoscopy machines on top of significant recent investment in MRI and CT scanners has made a huge difference to the quality of Welsh people's lives.

"We should all thank our health workers for doing so much to help us when we can be at our most vulnerable."

20th May 2008

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