Two Public Interest Report by the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales have been published, following concerns raised by Aberconwy AM, Janet Finch-Saunders regarding Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board.
One report highlights a 132 day wait for prostate cancer treatment for a local patient, citing “systematic failure”. Welsh Government guidelines state that newly diagnosed cancer patients should start treatment within 31 days of diagnosis.
The other has found “inadequate” post-operative care for a patient, “resulting in his death from sepsis”.
Janet said:
“The findings detailed in these reports are deeply concerning. In both these cases, such were my apprehensions at the actions of the Health Board, that I felt it essential to raise these matters with the Ombudsman.
“My sincere thanks go out to the Ombudsman and his team for their thorough investigations and comprehensive reports.
“I endorse these findings, and call on the Health Board to take forward the recommendations outlined as an immediate priority, so as to ensure that no one else will have to go through the experiences of these patients and their families.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
Janet Finch-Saunders AM is the Assembly Member for Aberconwy, and Shadow Minister for Local Government
The reports can be found here:
Mr D: https://www.ombudsman-wales.org.uk/~/media/Files/Cases_en/201503554%20Final%20Report.ashx
Ms A: https://www.ombudsman-wales.org.uk/~/media/Files/Cases_en/201504223%20Final%20Report.ashx
Figures for prostate cancer in Wales:
In terms of the annual numbers of cases – prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in Wales, after breast cancer, and the most common in men
Nearly 20,000 men in Wales have prostate cancer at present
There were 2,583 new cases diagnosed in Wales during 2014, equivalent to around 50 cases each week, and accounting for 13.5 per cent of all new cancer cases
Around 613 men die each year in Wales from prostate cancer (2014)
The numbers have fluctuated annually, however, this has gone up by 18% from 2005, when 521 men died
The risk of developing prostate cancer is 1 in 3 of those who have a brother or father with prostate cancer, 1 in 4 for those of Afro-Caribbean origin, and 1 in 8 as a Welsh man
The latest figures for five-year survival rates show a distinct variation between health boards:
- Wales – 88.2%
- Powys (lowest) – 79.2%
- Cardiff & Vale (highest) – 92%
- BCUHB 87.4%
[Source: http://www.wcisu.wales.nhs.uk/interactive-cancer-statistics-tool]