Waiting Times In Newport Are Getting Longer

12.00.00am GMT Wed 26th Jan 2005

Michael German, Welsh Liberal Democrat AM for South Wales East has criticised the Labour Assembly Government for increasing the total number of people waiting for outpatient appointments in Newport.

Official figures published today show that the total number of people on outpatient waiting lists has increased over the past year, with the figure rising from 12,917 in December 2003 to 13,538 in December 2004.

Speaking after an Assembly debate today, in which Brian Gibbons the new Health Minister admitted that such long wait lists are unacceptable, Michael German said: "The people of Newport deserve better.

"The fact that 13,358 people are waiting for outpatient appointments in Newport alone shows that the Labour health policy is in need of some urgent medicine"