Orthopaedic services 'struggling' to meet demand

The NHS in Wales is struggling to meet the demand for orthopaedic services, despite improvements in efficiency, the auditor general has said.

A report found that, while waiting times have fallen over the past decade, they were beginning to rise again, with longer waits than elsewhere in the UK.

It said an extra £65m to cut waiting times had some short-term success.

But lifestyle programmes were needed to tackle demand fuelled by an ageing and more obese population, it added.

Auditor General Huw Vaughan Thomas said: "Despite improvements in the way orthopaedic services are being delivered in Wales, there is still more that can be done to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of these services."