Will the Minister provide an update on the work being done to clear the pathology department backlogs in NHS Wales?
We have provided NHS Wales with nearly £250m in 2021-22 to help address backlogs and delays, which developed due to the pandemic. We have also made an additional £170m a year available to support planned care recovery from 2022-23.
Health boards are using this funding to address and clear these backlogs, which includes in pathology.
In pathology, reporting is being prioritised to ensure people waiting for results relating to cancer and other urgent treatments are being dealt with first. In addition, the National Pathology programme is considering the staffing and operational model transformation required for the longer term and to ensure the service is able to meet the future demands.