Following the finding that the total number of full time equivalent staff recorded for hospital specialities as a whole remains lower in Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) than it was in 2014, Janet Finch-Saunders, Assembly Member for Aberconwy, has spoken of how this is further evidence of how the Welsh Government are failing the people of North Wales.
Janet said:
“Before the Health Board entered special measures in June 2015, it recorded a full time equivalent staffing level for all specialities as a whole of 1,148.8, a number it still hasn’t yet been able to improve on as BCUHB is now down to 1,140.5.
“Whilst BCUHB remains behind its peak in 2014, Cardiff and Vale University LHB, Aneurin Bevan University LHB, and Powys Teaching LHB have seen increases during the same period.
“Given that the Welsh Government have been in direct control of BCUHB since it was placed in the highest form of intervention that it could possibly be under in 2015, and that the number of patients waiting more than 36 weeks for medical treatment has increased by almost 150% since June 2015, it is extremely concerning that the staffing levels remain lower than 2014.
“Even more alarming is the fact that 18 of the specialities have seen a reduction since 2014, and that some of these include a fall in the number of consultants, such as from 9.9 to 8 in Urology, 8.7 to 6.4 in Rheumatology, and 15.7 to 14.8 in Accident and Emergency.
“Clearly, the escalating waiting times and demands on the health board should be matched by a record number of medical professionals in BCUHB. However, it seems that the Welsh Government persist to fail the people and health board of North Wales”.
ENDS
Notes
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