Janet Finch-Saunders MS recently raised concerns during First Minister’s Questions in the Senedd with the First Minister, Eluned Morgan, about the lack of locally available PET scan services in North Wales. This shortage is forcing patients to travel long distances to access vital diagnostic tests.
The issue has been highlighted by numerous constituents in Aberconwy who have had to travel significant distances to receive PET scans. It has also been raised with the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Jeremy Miles.
Currently, many patients are required to travel to places such as Liverpool and even as far as Cardiff to access PET scans. For individuals already facing serious health concerns, including cancer investigations and ongoing treatment, these long journeys add further physical, emotional and financial strain at an already difficult time. Travel of this distance is particularly challenging for elderly patients, those undergoing treatment, and families trying to provide support.
The Welsh Government has confirmed it is in the process of developing a new nuclear medicine centre which will include NHS-delivered PET scan services within the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board reach. This has come as a welcome step and recognition that North Wales needs improved diagnostic capacity. However, questions remain about timescales and delivery, as patients continue to face significant inconvenience and distress in the meantime.
Janet Finch-Saunders, Senedd Member for Aberconwy said:
“It is vital that progress on the new facility is prioritised and delivered as soon as possible.
North Wales patients deserve fair access to modern diagnostic services such as PET scans, and geography should not determine the quality or accessibility of certain healthcare.
Urgent action is needed to ensure the new centre becomes operational as soon as possible and that interim solutions are considered to reduce travel burdens in the short term.”
Yn ddiweddar, cododd Janet Finch-Saunders AS bryderon yn ystod Cwestiynau'r Prif Weinidog yn y Senedd gyda'r Prif Weinidog, Eluned Morgan, ynghylch y diffyg gwasanaethau sganio PET sydd ar gael yn lleol yn y Gogledd. Mae'r prinder hwn yn gorfodi cleifion i deithio pellteroedd hir i gael mynediad at brofion diagnostig hanfodol.
Mae'r mater wedi cael ei godi gan nifer o etholwyr yn Aberconwy sydd wedi gorfod teithio’n bell iawn i dderbyn sganiau PET. Mae wedi cael ei godi hefyd gydag Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet dros Iechyd a Gofal Cymdeithasol, Jeremy Miles.
Ar hyn o bryd, mae'n ofynnol i lawer o gleifion deithio i lefydd fel Lerpwl a hyd yn oed cyn belled â Chaerdydd i gael mynediad at sganiau PET. Ar gyfer unigolion sydd eisoes yn wynebu pryderon iechyd difrifol, gan gynnwys ymchwiliadau canser a thriniaeth barhaus, mae'r teithiau hir hyn yn rhoi straen corfforol, emosiynol ac ariannol pellach ar adeg sydd eisoes yn anodd. Mae teithio'r pellter hwn yn arbennig o heriol i gleifion oedrannus, y rhai sy'n cael triniaeth a theuluoedd sy'n ceisio darparu cefnogaeth.
Mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi cadarnhau ei bod wrthi’n datblygu canolfan feddygaeth niwclear newydd a fydd yn cynnwys gwasanaethau sganio PET a ddarperir gan y GIG o fewn cyrhaeddiad Bwrdd Iechyd Prifysgol Betsi Cadwaladr. Mae hyn i'w groesawu ac mae’n cydnabod bod angen mwy o gapasiti diagnostig ar y Gogledd. Fodd bynnag, mae cwestiynau yn parhau am amserlenni a dulliau cyflwyno, tra bod cleifion yn parhau i wynebu anghyfleustra a gofid sylweddol.
Meddai Janet Finch-Saunders, AS Aberconwy:
"Mae'n hanfodol bod cynnydd ar y cyfleuster newydd yn cael ei flaenoriaethu a'i gyflawni cyn gynted â phosibl.
Mae cleifion y Gogledd yn haeddu mynediad teg at wasanaethau diagnostig modern fel sganiau PET, ac ni ddylai daearyddiaeth bennu ansawdd neu hygyrchedd gofal iechyd penodol.
Mae angen gweithredu ar unwaith i sicrhau bod y ganolfan newydd yn weithredol cyn gynted â phosibl a bod atebion interim yn cael eu hystyried i leihau baich teithio yn y tymor byr."
