Healthcare professionals say they need more support, with one doctor calling the current situation “dismaying”
The latest figures on waiting times in Welsh hospitals have been released (Image: WalesOnline/ Rob Browne)
In October, the average wait time was 12 hours for patients at emergency departments across the nation – a statistic that experts have described as “dismaying.” The latest performance data for major Welsh emergency departments, released on Friday November 21 by Stats Wales, showed that 10,493 people waited more than 12 hours before being admitted, discharged or transferred in October 2025.
Statistics show slight improvements in waiting times were seen in October 2025 compared to the previous month, but across the board waits have continued to deteriorate compared to the same period in 2024.
Dr Rob Perry, RCEM Vice President for Wales, said: “It is dismaying to see yet another worst month on record.” For the biggest stories in Wales first, sign up to our daily newsletter here
“With temperatures already starting to drop, today’s data is a reminder – if one was even needed – that politicians should listen to the alarm bells ringing from every ED in the country.”
The statistics released today also showed:
- Waits of 12 or more hours have more than doubled compared to October 2018, while the number of people attending ED is actually 0.5% lower
- Around one in four patients (24.8%) waited eight or more hours in October 2025
- Only half (53.9%) of patients were admitted, discharged or transferred within four hours, reflecting the total collapse in hospital flow across recent years
- Delayed discharges remain an issue – with 1,493 bed days lost to patients unable to leave hospital despite being medically fit to do so, a decrease of 53 compared to last October
Dr Perry added: “Thousands of people – loved ones seeking help – found themselves waiting on trolleys or chairs for hours on end, in conditions we know put them at risk of further harm. This cannot continue.
“Meanwhile, our staff are working themselves to the bone to try and keep their patients safe. But without action from government, this will get harder and harder.
“This has been our reality all year, even in the warmer months when we are supposed to get some respite. The winter surge is about to start, and I fear we are not ready for what’s to come.
“Minor improvements compared to September are welcome, but they are but a drop in the ocean compared to what we need to be seeing in order to escape the spiral we find ourselves in.
“The Welsh government must continue to address delayed discharges and flow. Its recent announcement of funding for social care was a good first step – but we need sustained support.
“EM staff will step up for their patients this winter. We will get through this, but, I fear, at what cost?”
The long wait times appear to be the norm across the board however, not just in emergency departments.
Macmillan’s analysis of the latest official NHS data shows that performance against the national cancer waiting times target in Wales was worse in September compared with August, cancer services in Wales remain under intense pressure.
Macmillan’s analysis concluded the following:
- In September 2025, almost 900 people with cancer in Wales waited too long to start treatment
- The proportion of people who waited too long in September varied from 35% to 47% across local health boards in Wales
- Waiting times also vary considerably depending on which type of cancer people have. For example, in September 2025 only 37% of people with urological cancer and 39% of women and people assigned female at birth with gynecological cancer started their treatment within 62 days from first being suspected of having cancer, compared with 87% of those with skin cancer
- So far this year, more than 7,100 people with cancer in Wales waited too long to start treatment
- Other recent analysis by Macmillan shows people who lived in the most deprived areas of Wales in 2024 were over 1.5 times more likely to die from cancer than people who lived in the least deprived areas after adjusting for age, and the gap is currently bigger than it was 20 years ago, even though the overall cancer mortality rate has fallen over this time
Hannah Buckingham, Senior External Affairs Adviser for Wales at Macmillan Cancer Support, said: “Timely cancer diagnosis and treatment are essential, yet thousands of people in Wales continue to face long waits and delays. This is unacceptable, but it doesn’t have to be this way.
“This month’s slight improvement compared with recent years is welcome, but the overall picture remains deeply concerning, particularly as we head into winter. With Senedd elections fast approaching, the next Welsh Government has a vital opportunity to act and make cancer a priority.
“We need to see a new cancer strategy, stronger support for the workforce, smarter use of NHS data, and crucially, truly person-centred support. People living with cancer in Wales deserve better than long waits – and the next Welsh Government must deliver it.”
Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Jeremy Miles, has responded to the data. He said: “I am pleased the £120m investment I announced in June to support the NHS is making a positive difference.
“By the end of October, this has seen more than 41,000 additional outpatient appointments delivered. A further 14,800 outpatient appointments were provided in the first two weekends of November.
“In October, there were 43% fewer hours lost in ambulance patient handover times and 42% fewer delays of more than an hour outside emergency departments, compared to last year.
“This means ambulance crews are able to respond to people experiencing cardiac arrests within the response time, and response times for ‘amber’ category patients improved by 23 minutes compared to October 2024.
“I know there is more to be done.
“On Wednesday, I announced further measures to help Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board improve emergency and planned care performance.
“Despite some signs of improvements since it was placed in special measures in February 2023, significant and persistent challenges remain.
“The steps being taken are necessary to ensure people receive the care they deserve. Yesterday, I held a public accountability meeting with the health board in North Wales – where we held them to account, including on waiting times targets; the health board’s financial position and outlook; and quality and safety.
“I also know there is a lot of great work happening across Wales and I want to thank our NHS staff for their continued dedication and efforts.”