Wales’ health chief condemned delayed NHS data release over accuracy concerns, demanding fixes or a formal probe.

Wales’ Health Secretary Jeremy Miles condemned the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board for delaying the release of NHS Wales performance data, calling it “indefensible” due to data quality issues, particularly with referral-to-treatment waiting times. A partial data release followed the next day, but Miles demanded immediate fixes, threatening a formal investigation within 24 hours. Plaid Cymru’s Mabon ap Gwynfor warned the delay exposed systemic problems in data transparency and accuracy, noting Wales tracks waiting times from hospital receipt of referrals—not GP referrals—potentially understating delays, especially in orthopedics. He criticized the lack of upfront communication and called for more reliable, timely health data to maintain public trust.