The Assembly Member for Aberconwy, Janet Finch-Saunders AM, has called on the First Minister of Wales to take urgent action to ensure that those left waiting beyond the target treatment time under the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board will receive timely treatment as a matter of priority.
These calls come after the Health Board has been under Special measures – under more direct control from the Welsh Labour Government, for a year and a half, and the Member has now publically called on the First Minister of Wales for his direct intervention.
Janet said:
“Since BCUHB was put into special measures by the Welsh Labour Government, over 18 months ago, the number of patients waiting over 36 weeks for treatment has gone up by an overall average of 32%, with some specialities exceptionally higher.
“ENT and gastroenterology has seen an increase of 86%, orthodontics by 1666%, and oral surgery by a shocking 7192%!
“Furthermore, the latest Integrated Quality & Performance Report from the Health Board shows that in 28 themed areas out of 34 performance was worse than the target level, and identified performance decline in 8 national, and 7 local, domain indicators.
“Given the Welsh Government intervention in the Health Board, serious questions must be raised with regards to this performance. It is simply not good enough – as these startling figures show.”
ENDS
Notes:
Janet Finch-Saunders AM has called on the First Minister for intervention during FMQs in Plenary 31-01-2017 (Question 1).
Figures obtained for June 2015 – November 2016 – spreadsheet attached. Data taken from StatsWales.