Leader of the Welsh Conservatives and Clwyd West MS Darren Millar has called for a Welsh Government Statement in relation to bed capacity in the Welsh NHS.
Speaking in yesterday's Business Statement, Darren highlighted the dramatic drop in the number of beds in hospitals throughout Wales since 1997 and asked what is being done by the Welsh Government to ensure the appropriate bed capacity to meet demand.
He said:
"I call for a statement from the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care in relation to bed capacity in the Welsh NHS?
"Back in 1997, there were 15,500 beds available for the NHS in Wales to use. Today, that figure has fallen by a third, and stands at less than 10,500. It's no wonder that we've got a problem in our emergency departments, and in our hospitals, when you look at those figures.
"I'd like to know what the Welsh Government's strategy is ensure that we have appropriate bed capacity to meet the needs of people in Wales, especially given that we've seen the population grow, and that our older population, in particular, has grown significantly in recent years."
In her response, the Welsh Government’s Business Manager said:
"We have to reflect on the changing way in which we deliver our health and social care services, ensuring that people do not have to go into hospital unless absolutely necessary, and that those stays are limited to the time during which they need that treatment."
Speaking after the meeting, Darren said:
"As was revealed by the recent Y Byd ar Bedwar programme, almost 89,000 patients were treated in corridors or other non-clinical areas at Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board hospitals from 2022 to October 2025. This is truly appalling and would not be happening if there were a sufficient number of beds.
"Patients across Wales are being let down daily, but this Welsh Government refuse to admit there is a problem.
"Welsh Conservatives would tackle the issue head on by declaring a health emergency to surge bed capacity, end the scandal of corridor care, and prevent patients dying needlessly in hallways and cupboards in our hospitals across Wales."
Watch Darren’s contribution in the Welsh Parliament below:
