The latest figures on NHS waiting lists in Wales have prompted another political row.

Data published on Wednesday showed there are now 306,346 people waiting for NHS treatment in Wales, a year-on-year rise of 8,000.

The figures have prompted more criticism of the health policy being implemented by Rhodri Morgan's Cardiff administration.

But Welsh health minister Jane Hutt sought to rebut criticisms of inaction by launching an extension of the "second offer" scheme.

The move means that by March 2005 no patient in Wales will be waiting over 12 months for an operation without having been given a second offer of treatment elsewhere.

And she pointed out that two thirds of the total number of people waiting for treatment are waiting less than six months.

"The second offer scheme has been in operation since April 2004, with a run-in period between January and March," said Hutt.

"During that time we have seen a record fall in waiting times - reaching the lowest figure since the assembly was established.

"This has meant that since January over 1,300 people have received treatment thanks to the second offer scheme."

Hutt said the latest policy proved the administration is "not standing still, but building on what we have achieved to bring waits down further and faster".

Attack

But responding to the waiting list figures, the Conservatives branded the minister as "failing and ineffectual".

"Labour have let down a third-of-a million people in Wales waiting for treatment," said health spokesman Jonathan Morgan.

"What I find more frightening is the state this service will be in a year from now."

He added: "The clearest message this news should send to Jane Hutt is that her ill-conceived second-offer scheme is a total shambles and has provided no benefit to Welsh patients."

And Welsh Liberal Democrat assembly leader Mike German said the figures showed a failure of leadership.

"Jane Hutt is sticking to her theme for the NHS in Wales; making everyone wait," he said.

"We see no strategic approach, no Wanless action plan, and waiting lists are getting worse.

"More patients are waiting appointments and all of us are waiting for the Labour Assembly Government to get a grip on the NHS."