Janet Finch-Saunders MS has drawn attention to a change in policy by Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board which means that Pre-Operative Assessments can now be regarded as valid for 16 weeks rather than 12.
The Member of the Welsh Parliament for Aberconwy has requested a statement from the Minister for Health, Eluned Morgan MS, on the change which means that patients can be left waiting for an additional month after they have been assessed for surgery.
The Centre for Perioperative Care published guidelines in June 2021 which state that:
“All perioperative services should have a system for active clinical surveillance of patients on waiting lists, particularly those who have been on lists for longer than 3 months for P3 or P4 surgery.”
Speaking in the Senedd, Janet said:
“Earlier this month Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board wrote to me stating:
‘Colleagues have confirmed that once a patient has passed the POAC the Health Board aims to schedule them for surgery within 16 weeks (of the date of the POAC)’.
“4 months is longer than it used to be, I recall 3 months, and even six weeks.
“I am concerned that BCUHB has extended the 3 month barrier to 4, at a time when there may be no clear all-Wales standard for all health boards.
“In the interest of patient safety, I have asked for the matter to be addressed by the Welsh Government”.
ENDS
