Part of 2. 2. Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Well-being and Sport – in the Senedd at 2:26 pm on 17 May 2017.
Well, I’ve described the improvements that have been made, but I should just start by recognising that a wait of seven hours outside any hospital department is not acceptable. We need to be clear about not just the level of improvement we’ve made, but equally what we don’t find acceptable within our healthcare system, so we’re clear about the improvement that is necessary. I’m confident that with the improvements that have been made—in fact, in Betsi Cadwaladr, for diagnostic tests, they’ve made significant and sustained improvements for diagnostic waits. The challenge about how our whole system joins up is one that is not complete. I know that in some of the sites across north Wales, the waits outside hospitals are much prompter than others. So, I expect this to be a continued focus of attention—not just the individual case that you highlight, but understanding the broader picture—so we do have a position that is generally acceptable and providing the high-quality healthcare that each citizen in Wales is entitled to expect.