Dear Stephanie
Suspension of referral to treatment time (RTT) statistics for Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board
Thank you for your letter regarding the suspension of the publication of referral to treatment time (RTT) statistics for Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, which are published as part of the Welsh Government’s NHS activity and performance summary.
Given the concerns that you have highlighted about the accuracy and integrity of the RTT data submitted by the health board for recent months, we agree with your decision to suspend the publication of these high-profile statistics. We welcome the external investigation announced on 27 November into the quality and governance of the data and note that the review will involve a statistician to provide expertise on the standards and practices required for accredited official statistics.
We note your intention to provide guidance to users on the appropriate interpretation of the RTT statistics. Given that we will be entering into a pre-election period in 2026, where waiting times statistics are likely to be a key topic of public debate, it is vital that you make the impact on the overall figures of data for this health board not being included clear to users.
We have already discussed with your team our intention to carry out a planned compliance review of the NHS activity and performance summary statistics in 2026. We will consider the findings of the external review into RTT data as part of our own review. My team will continue to engage closely with you and your team to provide support and advice.
Yours sincerely
Ed Humpherson
Director General for OSR