The Welsh Labour Government has admitted that its own policies are forcing up NHS waiting lists.

Welsh Conservatives have obtained a copy of a letter from the Welsh Labour Government, which confirms that "following the One Wales commitment to reduce the use of the private sector, and the repatriation of patients from England, capacity has been constrained."

Under scrutiny from the Leader of the Opposition, Paul Davies AM, the First Minister denied that waiting lists were rising under his watch, despite the Welsh Labour Government's own figures showing a 50% hike since December 2009 in the number of patients waiting.

Paul Davies AM said, "This is an extraordinary admission from the Welsh Labour Government that their short-sighted ban on the NHS using the private sector to deliver services is responsible for driving up waiting lists.

"This ban on the NHS commissioning private sector services was introduced solely for ideological reasons, with little regard for the efficient delivery of NHS services.

"Since the First Minister came into office two years ago, the number of people waiting for NHS treatment has risen by 50%. Over the same period, the Government's target to ensure patients do not wait more than four hours in A&E departments has been missed every single month.

"While Ministers are in denial about rising waiting lists, lengthy waits are causing considerable distress to NHS staff, patients and their families.

"Ministers should accept what their own figures show – that waiting lists are rising – and they should work constructively with the independent and voluntary sectors to deliver NHS services in the most efficient way."