Welsh health secretary Jeremy Miles has announced new Welsh government plans to kick people who miss two planned health appointments off the list, as part of “new patient deal” to cut record waiting times.
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00:00A major shake-up of the NHS in Wales is on its way, with the Health Secretary announcing
00:07an ambitious new strategy aimed at cutting down the country's record waiting lists.
00:12A big part of the strategy is what's being called a new patient deal, where patients
00:16will be given better tracking tools throughout the NHS Wales app and clearer information
00:21about how long they're likely to wait.
00:24But it comes with a catch as patients will now be offered two dates for treatment and
00:28if they miss both of those without good reason, they'll be removed from the waiting list.
00:32That's in response to figures showing that around 700,000 outpatient appointments are
00:37missed or cancelled every year across Wales.
00:40The Health Secretary says that the number is far too high and is causing serious delays
00:45for the health service, adding that missed appointments delay care for everyone and waste
00:50valuable resources that could be helping other people.
00:54The new approach only means people who are healthy and ready for surgery will be added
00:59to the surgical waiting list, because the evidence shows those in better health recover
01:03faster and use fewer hospital resources.
01:06The NHS will also help people get healthier and in preparation for surgery.
01:11A spokesperson for the Welsh Conservatives say the party welcomes the plans but says
01:15more needs to be done to help massive waiting lists and get people the care they need.
01:20Plaid Cymru also backed elements of the plans but says that more preventative help needs
01:24to take place before putting accountability on patients.
01:29The government says it's a big step but a necessary one, hoping that with clearer information
01:34and a shared responsibility between patients and the NHS, treatment can be faster and fairer
01:39for everyone.
01:40James Beach Watkins, reporting for Local TV.