Recently published data reveals that the number of patient pathways waiting to start treatment in Wales fell from around 734,000 to 731,000, a fifth consecutive decrease and 574,000 individual patients are currently on treatment waiting lists in Wales, a fall of 1,700 patients. Furthermore the number of patient pathways waiting longer than one year for a first outpatient appointment decreased to around 63,000, a reduction of 39% from its peak last August.

Welsh minister for health and social Services, Eluned Morgan, has commented on the latest NHS Wales performance data.

He said: "These improvements must be seen within a wider a context where, as today’s data shows, the pressures we have seen on our NHS have still not eased.

"Emergency care services have borne the brunt of the recent pressures, with an increase in ambulance call volumes and presentations at emergency departments."

He continued: "We have set very ambitious targets for our NHS and we have seen improvements in several areas, as our NHS continues to meet the increased demand for care following the pandemic. It is clear there is more to do in some areas, and I will expect to see progress following the improvements made and our additional investment."