One In Ten In The Spotlight On Blitz The Lists Campaign Tour

12.00.00am GMT Fri 18th Feb 2005

One in ten people in Wales are currently on an NHS waiting list - that's the shocking fact the new campaign tour by Mike German, Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Leader, wants to highlight.

Mr German starts his journey around Wales in Wrexham town centre on Saturday. He will be joined by PPCs and Councillors to present Welsh Liberal Democrat solutions to the problem.

Mr German said: "The appalling number of people on waiting lists in Wales is a national scandal. Waiting times of 12 and 18 months are far too common, while in England and Scotland they are virtually unheard of.

"Labour's sluggish changes have failed to bring the much-needed results. The Welsh Liberal Democrats are committed to cutting waiting times as their top priority and would do so by implementing the Wanless report and spending the health care budget more efficiently.

"The problem of bed-blocking is partly to blame for the long waiting lists. We would ensure that only patients who need hospital treatment go to hospital to avoid clogging up the system. Patients who do not need to go to Hospital should be treated in primary care settings as recommended by Wanless.

"We have campaigned tirelessly on this issue. Labour have delivered nothing but promises. It is clear that the Labour Assembly Government can't deal with the crisis and don't want to. In my tour I want to bring the attention where it should be and press for urgent action."

Notes: The Blitz the Lists campaign tour will also visit Ceredigion, Brecon & Radnorshire, Montgomeryshire, Cardiff, with other dates still being added.