Janet Finch-Saunders AM is calling on the Welsh Labour Government to take responsibility over the shocking delays in treatment times being faced by patients in Aberconwy and North Wales for orthopaedic treatment by Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board.
Janet said: “I have constituents who have been waiting 80 weeks for knee surgery, 130 week for hip surgery, and many others who face unacceptable and, quick frankly, appalling delays in treatment times.
“In November 2012, just 56 patients were waiting over 36 weeks for orthopaedic and trauma treatment. The latest figures show that, four years on, this figure was nearly 3000 – an increase of over 5000%!
“The Welsh Labour Government needs to admit their culpability here – having taken the Board into special measures, it is imperative that they actually work to bring down these intolerable waiting times. My constituents need to be able to have trust and confidence in their government, and, with regards to the Health Services, Welsh Labour are failing them on every level.”
ENDS
Photo: Janet Finch-Saunders AM, speaking in the National Assembly for Wales, Cardiff Bay
Notes: The latest figures for treatment waiting times are available on StatsWales: https://statswales.gov.wales/Catalogue/Health-and-Social-Care/NHS-Hospital-Waiting-Times/Referral-to-Treatment/patientpathwayswaitingtostarttreatment-by-month-groupedweeks [Accessed 25/01/2017]