Following the release of data showing waiting times for diagnostic and therapy services in health boards across Wales, Janet Finch-Saunders, Assembly Member for Aberconwy, has found that Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board has now reached the highest number of patients waiting over 24 weeks for services since special measures, and has therefore hit out at the Welsh Government for failing the health board, its staff, and patients.

Janet said:

“It cannot be right that the number of residents waiting over 24 weeks for diagnostic and therapy services has now reached its highest point since the commencement of special measures in June 2015.

“Whilst we should be seeing improvement, the reality is that there are now more people waiting over 24 weeks for colonoscopy and flexible Sigmoidoscop in North Wales than at the onset of Welsh Government intervention.

“The unfairness of the situation is clear when considering that there are three Welsh health boards with none or just one patient waiting over 24 weeks.

“Clearly some health boards are performing better. Given that ours continues to be riddled with problems, I think it is clear that the health board, its staff, and patients, are being failed by the Welsh Government”.

ENDS

Notes:

BCUHB in special measures “indefinitely”

Waiting times by month: https://statswales.gov.wales/Catalogue/Health-and-Social-Care/NHS-Hospital-Waiting-Times/Diagnostic-and-Therapy-Services/waitingtimes-by-month