The Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board has stated that specialties, including dermatology, continue to face significant pressures.
Janet Finch-Saunders, Member of the Welsh Parliament, has written to the Cabinet Secretary for Health, calling for urgent action to ensure more dermatology specialists practice in Wales.
Janet commented:
“While the 111 website states that the average time to start dermatology treatment is 16 weeks, with 10% of patients waiting 68 weeks or more following referral, I have been frequently approached by constituents, some of whom have been waiting over 100 weeks to be seen.
“This delay in treatment has placed significant strain on their day-to-day lives and forced them to make difficult decisions. This is unacceptable.
“Today, I have written to the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Jeremy Miles MS, to call for urgent action to attract more dermatology specialists to Wales, particularly within the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board area.
“It is only by increasing the number of specialists that the significant treatment backlog can be addressed. I have long called for more specialists, and in response to a written question I submitted in 2024, the then Cabinet Secretary, now First Minister Eluned Morgan, stated:
‘The health board has developed a plan to resolve immediate issues within its dermatology service.’
Janet continued:
“However, that was nearly two years ago, and we are still seeing problems persist, backlogs grow, and more constituents seeking support.” continue to call for prompt action to address this shortfall in consultants.”
ENDS
Photo: Janet Finch-Saunders MS/AS
