WAITING times for Betsi Cadwaladr A&E patients are the worst in the country for the second month running.

27.3 per cent of patients who arrived in Accident and Emergency departments in January had to wait over four hours – the target time set for patients in Wales to be seen.

This percentage is higher for the struggling Betsi Cadwaladr health board – which has been in special measures for over two and a half years (June 2015) – than any other board in the country.

Ysbyty Gwynedd enjoyed the best times of the three major A&E departments in the region and treated 71.4 per cent of patients in the allocated time beating both Ysbyty Glan Clwyd (61.4 per cent) and Ysbyty Maelor (61.7 per cent).

Whilst the north Wales health board languished at the bottom of the tables, neighbouring organisation Hywel Dda topped the board with only 16.8 per cent of patients waiting for more than four hours in January.

NHS Wales chief executive Andrew Goodall said: “Our latest figures show that last month was the busiest ever January on record for our A&E Departments.

“A&E attendance by those aged 85 and over was the second highest ever for any month on record.

“Flu has also had an impact on capacity across our system with the highest rates for six years.

“This month, the Cabinet secretary for health and social services announced an additional £10m for social services to support people in their homes and communities and relieve pressure on the NHS.

“We will continue to respond to areas of performance that need to be improved, but despite record levels of demand on service, our staff have provided a resilient and professional response to support patients this winter.”See this week's north editions for the full story, in shops and online tomorrow