In a Freedom of Information request Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board provided information that showed over the past two years 3,543 inpatients and 4,960 outpatients died whilst on a treatment waiting list.
It is currently unknown if the patients would have survived should they have received the treatment. Clarity is being sought on this point.
Janet Finch-Saunders, the Member of Welsh Parliament for Aberconwy, was saddened to learn of these figures.
Commenting on the figures produced in the FOI, Janet said:
“These figures are deeply concerning and highlight the significant failings of Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, Welsh Government, and decade long special measures.
“When considering that over 80,000 pathways are waiting longer than 36 weeks here in the North, and that around 6,106 are waiting two years for treatment, it is clear that the waiting time crisis is completely out of control.
“Along with the number of patients dying on the waiting list, 965 patients were dropped off as a result of going privately over the last two years.
“The First Minister has made it a personal mission to improve waiting times. She has failed. She should resign.
“The Health Board is failing to improve waiting times. The management has failed. Executives should be cleared out and a new, fresh team put in place.
“Those still waiting horrendously long times, should they be willing to travel, should be offered treatment in hospitals elsewhere in the United Kingdom”.
ENDS
Photo: Janet Finch-Saunders MS/AS
