New data shows that the number of people waiting more than two years for treatment in Wales has fallen to the lowest level since March 2021.

The figures for June show that just over 7,400 pathways were waiting more than 2 years, almost 90% lower than at the peak, and a 27.4 per cent decrease on May.

The data also shows a reduction of more than 2,000 on the overall waiting list.

For the first time, the Welsh Government is also publishing publishing provisional waiting times data for the following month to provide people with more up-to-date information. The provisional data for July indicates a slight increase in long waits but the overall trend continues downwards.

In July, there were just under 101,900 attendances to all emergency departments in Wales, an average of 3,287 a day. This was the highest number on record.

Health Secretary, Jeremy Miles, said: "It is encouraging to see the number of people waiting more than 2 years is at its lowest for more than 4 years.

"And I’m pleased to see a fall in the overall waiting list too.

"We expect to see some fluctuations in the number of long waits from month to month – that reflects in part the variation in the numbers of people who came onto the list 2 years ago, but I am confident there will be significant further reductions by the end of the next quarter in September, keeping us on track with our plan to bring down the longest waits.

"I know health boards are working very hard to bring waits down and I can see the impact of this in the numbers of additional treatments being carried out. We need to make sure this continues over the months ahead."