Assembly Member for Aberconwy, Janet Finch-Saunders AM, has spoken of her surprise at the drop in complaints to the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales about Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board.
The Ombudsman has reported that the number of complaints against Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board dropped from 192 in 2016/17 to 186 in 2017/18 – a 3% drop.
Janet said:
“I find these figures quite surprising, as they simply don’t represent what we’re seeing on the ground. I continue to receive many complaints and concerns about the health board on a daily basis. If these are being resolved without the need for a constituent to then take their concerns further to the Ombudsman, this is a positive thing, but I do think that the statistics in several areas of concern speak for themselves…
“We have the lowest spend per capita on primary care in Wales – almost 10% lower than Cwm Taf; waiting times for trauma and orthopaedics are STILL the worst in Wales with over 41% of patients waiting more than 9 months for urgent appointments; and we have more patients waiting over 36 weeks for all treatment areas than 5 of the other 6 health boards combined.
“Staffing levels are lower than 2014, and the Board remains in special measures despite the Welsh Government placing them under the highest level of intervention possible.
“With Carwyn Jones standing down as First Minister in the autumn – it seems unlikely he will be able to count his Government’s handling of the health board crisis in North Wales as a success.
“Of the two public interest reports the Ombudsman notes – both were referrals from myself as an Assembly Member. Not everyone knows that the Ombudsman is there as an option to follow up on a complaint, if you feel the initial response does not address a legitimate concern.”
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Photo: Janet Finch-Saunders AM