I was devastated to recently read the figures indicating that last year in Wales, an average of 18 deaths every week were associated with waits of 12 hours or more in A&E. With over 122,000 people waiting 12 hours or longer last year - the second-highest figure on record - everyone visiting emergency departments has a right to be concerned.
Patients and their families shouldn’t have to endure these statistics. Long waits and overcrowded A&Es aren't inevitable, and they aren't unsolvable. This situation is a failure of our Welsh Labour Government, who continue to deny the reality facing patients across Wales and refuse to accept any responsibility.
But it’s not just waiting times in our A&E departments causing concern - it’s extremely worrying that patients are treated in corridors, waiting rooms and other inappropriate spaces, not because of clinical need but because there is nowhere else for them to go. These conditions are not only inconvenient and uncomfortable for patients; they are dehumanising, dangerous, and unfair to our brilliant NHS staff, who bear the brunt of this reality.
I can only imagine the pressure faced by NHS staff and the impact this is having on their health and ability to operate effectively. In 2025, over 800,000 people attended major emergency departments across Wales - an average of over 66,000 per month. This is happening within a broken system that urgently needs investment and repair. Enough is enough.
We need change, and we need it now. The election on the 7th May is the perfect opportunity for communities to make their voices heard and ensure that the Welsh Labour Government, propped up by Plaid Cymru, understands that we can’t and will no longer stand for it.
The Welsh Conservatives would declare a health emergency and increase spending on health and social care in real terms in each and every year of the next Senedd term. We would also initiate an urgent review of hospital bed capacity and increase bed numbers in district general hospitals to prevent excessive emergency department waits and delayed transfers of care from ambulances.
As your regional Senedd Member in the Welsh Parliament, I was proud to represent you. If re-elected, I will continue to fight for our communities and ensure that those in charge do not make empty promises that they never deliver.
ENDS
