Data for August concerning NHS Wales and waiting times has shown that the month has given the longest NHS waiting list on record, and the second slowest response time from ambulances.

The data for the month showed that 68.7 per cent of the 61,281 patient in NHS emergency departments in Wales spent less than four hours in the department from arrival until admission, transfer or discharge.

The target figure is 95 per cent, which has never been met in its 21-year existence.

Statistics also revealed:

• Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board, which covers north Wales, was the worst performing in Wales with only 64.9 per cent seen within four hours

• The Welsh Government’s flagship hospital, The Grange in Cwmbran, continues to have the worst waiting times for a single hospital, as only 40.7 per cent of patients seen within 4 hours, down 3.1 per cent since July

• Across Wales, 7,982 patients waited over 12 hours for treatment in August, up by nearly 900 compared to July, with over a third in north Wales (2752)

• Those 85+ spent an average of six hours and 33 minutes in A&E, up 22 minutes since July

Furthermore, one in four patients are waiting over a year for treatment, compared to only one in 19 in England.

Meanwhile, England has 143,000 fewer patients waiting over a year, Wales’ has increased by 1,238.

In August 2021, 57.6 per cent of emergency responses to immediately life-threatening (red) calls arrived within eight minutes. This is six per cent lower than in August 2020 and 11 per cent lower than in August 2019.

This is the second worst response times to the red calls since new targets were introduced in 2015.

Hywel Dda Health Board posted less than 50 per cent arriving in the eight-minute target, with the worst performing board being Powys with 47.5 per cent.

78.1 per cent of amber calls – which include strokes – took over 30 mins to respond. This was most acute in Swansea Bay Health Board with 16.3 per cent within 30 mins.

The Central Valleys’ Cwm Taf Morgannwg Health Board only saw 18.5 per cent of amber calls arrive within 30 mins.

Cancer treatment times also continued to be missed and have worsened with 61.8 per cent being treated within 62 days, down from 67.3 per cent in June.