Hospital talks to reduce waits for Welsh patients
RJAHCross-border talks are taking place to reduce delays which have left hundreds of Welsh patients on waiting lists of more than two years to be treated at an English hospital.
The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital near Gobowen in Shropshire and the Powys Teaching Health Board in Wales are aiming to have no Welsh patients waiting more than 104 weeks by the end of 2026/27.
Patients registered with GPs in Wales but treated in English hospitals often have to wait twice as long as patients registered with GPs in England.
The two health bodies are seeking to sign a £12m contract to agree the level of activity that will be commissioned for the next financial year.
A hospital board meeting heard that in May nearly 400 Welsh patients were waiting more than two years for treatment.
These included 203 with spinal disorders, 43 waiting for joint surgery, 58 with foot and ankle issues, and 55 with knee and sports injuries.
The list also included three children and two veterans.
A spokesperson for Powys Teaching Health Board said the ongoing negotiations for future provision would not affect current arrangements.
This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.
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