HEALTH workers gave a partial welcome to Plaid Cymru’s priorities for the NHS in Wales today, but doctors’ leaders called for action to end corridor care.

Cabinet Minister for Health and Care Mabon ap Gwynfor said: “Having to wait years for treatment, with all the pain and anxiety that entails, is an intolerable reality for far too many people in Wales.

“With urgency, decisive action and ambition, we will protect the NHS and build a healthier, fairer Wales — with a health and care system that puts people first and delivers the change our nation needs.”

Mr ap Gwynfor said in his Senedd statement late on Tuesday that there will be up to 10 new surgical and diagnostic hubs developed across Wales over four years.

The health minister also said that two-year waits would be eliminated within months, with the overall backlog reduced to pre-pandemic levels before the end of this Senedd term.

Up to 100 new salaried GPs will be recruited and access to out-of-hours primary care expanded to reduce pressure on hospitals with stronger community services to ease hospital pressure.

Because of shortages of posts for this year’s nursing, midwifery and paramedic graduates, the Welsh government plans a summit to consider immediate support and options to prevent similar problems in the future.

But the doctors’ union BMA Cymru said it wanted urgent action to end corridor care in the Welsh NHS.

BMA’s Dr Manish Adke said: “Across Wales, patients are increasingly being cared for in corridors, waiting areas, and other unsuitable spaces due to chronic overcrowding and resource shortages within NHS hospitals.  

“Such conditions are not only distressing for patients and their families, but also place healthcare professionals in impossible situations, forced to choose between unsafe options.

“Despite our joint petition with RCN Wales and the subsequent debate in the Senedd last December, we are yet to see any meaningful action.”

RCN Wales’ Professor Sandy Harding welcomed the NHS statement saying it “places a clear focus on strengthening community services to help ease pressure on hospitals.

“We look forward to further detail on the minister’s plans to strengthen discharge processes and improve patient flow.

“We also welcome the commitment to a summit focused on workforce shortages, alongside the development of a long-term workforce strategy.”