'Groundbreaking' microsurgery for lymphoedema in Neath

Waiting times are "unacceptably high" and must be top priority, the Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) has said ahead of May's assembly election.

The RCS said almost 450,000 people were waiting for treatment - 10% higher than three years ago.

But the Welsh government said waiting times had been cut since devolution.

The RCS has praised innovative surgery taking place in Wales, particularly in the fields of plastic surgery and what is known as "super microsurgery" for lymphoedema patients at Neath Port Talbot hospital.

It is the only place in the UK regularly offering this type of treatment on the NHS for patients all over Wales.

A screening van travels around looking at patients with the condition and sends information back to the consultant at Neath.

Consultant plastic surgeon Amar Ghattaura said lymphoedema affected 8,000 patients in Wales. Some are born with it but others develop swollen legs or arms after surgery for cancer or injuries.

Specialist imaging and a microscope used in surgery - to work on vessels only 0.3mm thick - has been bought for the NHS in Wales.

BBC Wales health correspondent Owain Clarke spoke to Mr Ghattaura and patient Louise Jackson, from Cardiff. She had cancer in 2007 and developed lymphoedema , externalin her right leg.