Wales scraps automatic NHS follow-up appointments to cut waiting lists

The Welsh Government will scrap automatic NHS follow-up appointments to free up tens of thousands of clinical slots and reduce waiting lists, affecting thousands of patients. Under the new standards, patients will contact services when they need support instead of attending routine follow-ups they may not require. The plan also prioritises treating those who have waited longest, unless a clear clinical reason dictates otherwise. The change has drawn criticism from political figures, with Welsh Labour's Ken Skates and Conservative James Evans questioning Plaid Cymru's timeline for eliminating two-year waits, noting lists have recently begun rising again.