More than £106 million has been allocated to health boards to
help tackle the longest waits for procedures and operations.
The funding has been assigned to specialty areas for the year
ahead where it can have the greatest impact against the longest
waits – this includes £25 million for trauma and orthopaedics,
£21 million for imaging, £14 million for cancer treatment and
more than £12 million for ophthalmology.
The investment is part of the £200 million announced as part of
the Programme for Government to build capacity, tackle delayed
discharge and improve patient flow through hospitals.
Health Secretary said:
“This government is focussed on taking the action needed to cut
waiting lists - significant activity is already underway through
this additional investment which will help us target the longest
waits for treatment.
“We are determined to reduce patient waits in the year ahead and
this £106 million of additional funding will help us to deliver
more than 150,000 extra appointments and procedures in 2025-26.
This funding is just part of our record investment of £21.7
billion for health and social care this year.
“Last year, health boards vastly exceeded the commitment to
deliver 64,000 appointments and procedures – instead delivering
more than 105,000 through our targeted approach. This
investment will allow us to build on this progress and deliver
tangible improvements for patients.”
