Heatwaves drive record-breaking demand on NHS Wales services, latest figures show

Responding to the latest NHS Wales activity and performance statistics, Darren Hughes, director of the Welsh NHS Confederation, said:

“The recent hot weather has taken its toll on the NHS, contributing to record demand and placing staff under considerable strain as many worked in high temperatures.

“July saw the highest number of emergency department attendances on record for Wales, a deeply concerning milestone more often associated with the pressures of winter. Hot weather increases demand and contributes to incidents such as falls through dehydration, dizziness, low blood pressure, fatigue and reduced mobility.

“Despite this record demand, four-hour and twelve-hour emergency department performance improved on the previous month, and the average time spent in departments fell to 2 hours and 57 minutes, albeit from a low baseline.

“Scheduled care performance varied considerably in June, while cancer services saw welcome improvement against key performance measures.

“Waiting lists cannot be viewed in isolation from wider challenges across health and social care. NHS leaders therefore welcome the Welsh Government’s focus on prevention, including the appointment of the Deputy Minister for Public and Preventative Health, long-term workforce planning, digital and data, and stronger partnership working, all of which are essential to building a more sustainable system.

“But these figures show a health and care system under unrelenting and escalating pressure. Surgical hubs can increase capacity and protect planned care from disruption, but they are not a silver bullet. To be effective, they must be supported by sufficient multi-disciplinary workforce capacity, modern digital infrastructure and enough social care capacity to improve patient flow across the whole system.

“Alongside longer-term financial certainty, the NHS needs a comprehensive 10-year capital investment strategy, including exploring alternative ways to generate investment. This would help improve productivity, patient safety and staff wellbeing and reduce disruption to planned care.

“We must prioritise reducing demand for healthcare services across the whole of government, and target efforts to enhance community care access, if we are to ensure services can meet the future needs of people across Wales.”