The Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board was once again under the spotlight in the Senedd this week, as Welsh Government ministers faced renewed pressure over long NHS waiting times and ongoing concerns about performance in North Wales.

During a plenary session in Cardiff, members raised serious questions about the continued challenges facing the health board, which is responsible for healthcare services across Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Gwynedd, Anglesey and Wrexham.

The discussion formed part of a wider statement on NHS waiting times in Wales, but much of the focus quickly turned to Betsi Cadwaladr, where patients have faced some of the longest delays for treatment in the country.

Opposition MSs highlighted that, despite national efforts to bring waiting lists down, progress has remained slower in North Wales compared with other parts of Wales.

Concerns were also raised about the reliability of some waiting-time reporting within the health board.

In recent months, the Welsh Government confirmed that certain referral-to-treatment waiting time data from Betsi Cadwaladr had been temporarily suspended due to anomalies, with an external review launched into the board’s reporting processes.

For many residents across the region, the issue is not just about statistics, but the reality of waiting months — and in some cases years — for planned operations, outpatient appointments and specialist care.

Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care Jeremy Miles told the Senedd that reducing long waits remains a priority for the Welsh Government and acknowledged the scale of the challenge in North Wales.

He said work is ongoing to strengthen governance and improve performance at Betsi Cadwaladr, which remains under the highest level of escalation arrangements — effectively the most intensive form of oversight available.

The health board has been the subject of repeated scrutiny over the past decade, with longstanding pressures including workforce shortages, demand for services, and difficulties in delivering consistent improvements across hospital and community care.

Several members stressed that restoring trust is vital, particularly after the recent data concerns.

They argued that accurate reporting is essential for both accountability and ensuring patients receive timely treatment.

For communities across the North Wales coast, including Colwyn Bay, Llandudno and Rhyl, the debate is another reminder that the performance of Betsi Cadwaladr remains one of the most pressing health issues facing the region.

While no new measures were announced specifically during this session, members made clear that Betsi Cadwaladr’s recovery and the impact on patients will remain high on the political agenda in the months ahead.

With waiting list pressures continuing across Wales, the health board’s progress — and the Welsh Government’s ability to deliver lasting improvement in North Wales — is likely to face further scrutiny.