Following her growing concern about the actions of the Welsh Labour Government in handling the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board’s special measures, the Assembly Member for Aberconwy, Janet Finch-Saunders, has discovered that the Welsh Government’s rescue mission has cost a staggering £10,112,779.70 since 2015.
The figure came in a response to a Freedom of Information Request submitted to the Welsh Government.
The ongoing failings of the Welsh Government have left the Member ‘shocked’ and ‘seriously worried’ about her constituents’ health and wellbeing.
The total cost of having the health board in special measures, according to the Welsh Government, has grown from £5,029,247.82 in the financial year of 2015/16, to £5,083,531.88 in 2016/17.
However, figures obtained from BCUHB prove that the investment represents a real terms reduction, with the additional income received falling from £4.9 million in 2015/16 to £4.8 million in 2016/17.
Janet said:
“Whilst I welcome the additional funding from the Welsh Government here, it is of real concern that it seems to be making little difference to the experiences of my constituents here in Aberconwy, and many others across north Wales.
“I understand that funding is being focused on the ongoing investigation within the Mental Health Service, addressing staffing issues within Women’s Services, communication, and engagement.
“It is shocking that whilst the Welsh Government is spending in a few specific areas, they are allowing the situation to reach crisis point in those areas they are neglecting.
“Since special measure commenced, the number of patients waiting over 36 weeks for treatment have risen by 983% in orthodontics, 388% in anaesthetics, and 267% in cardiothoracic surgery.
“When the health board went into special measures in June 2015 4,224 people were waiting over 36 weeks for treatment. In January 2017 this reached a staggering 6,401 – and the figure does not include data for paediatric surgery.
“According to the most recent figures, of the 21,387 patients waiting over 36 weeks for treatment in Wales, 30% were within BCUHB – the highest in Wales. The figures are startling, given that in neighbouring Powys, just 1 patient was waiting this time.
“I am seriously worried about the health of all those people in North Wales who are having to wait such an excessive amount of time due to the Welsh Government’s complete failure in supporting the health board since 2015.
“Daily, constituents are visiting my office in Llandudno voicing their concerns about the health board. One in particular faced a wait of far over 80 weeks in 'agonising pain' for knee replacement.
“Clearly, the Welsh Government have not only failed to get to grips with the health boards situation, but managed it into a serious waiting time crisis.
“As it stands, with the special measures additional income falling, and not been spent across the board, I am deeply concerned that the situation will not improve soon”.