In response to a Freedom of Information request, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board stated that it was unable to determine whether the 8,503 patients who died while on a planned care waiting list would have survived had they been seen earlier. However, the Health Board has emphasised that many will have died for reasons unrelated to their treatment waiting time.
At a time when 1 in 4 people in Wales are on a waiting list, it is concerning that clinical reviews of patient notes are not being undertaken following the death of anyone on a planned care waiting list. It is vital for the Health Board and the Welsh Government to be fully aware of the impact these extensive waiting lists are having.
Janet Finch-Saunders, the Member of the Welsh Parliament for Aberconwy, is deeply disappointed that this information is not held and has raised serious questions about the consequences of this lack of data, as well as the significant impact these waiting lists are having on patients.
Commenting on the Freedom of Information response, Janet said:
“I frequently have constituents contact me regarding the extensive waiting lists, which cause them significant stress and concern. They are worried about the impact of not being treated soon enough. This is completely unacceptable and only adds to their distress.
“Some constituents facing these lengthy waiting times are dealing with life-threatening conditions. That is why the response from Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board is deeply worrying. They should be investigating the deaths of patients on waiting lists to determine whether delays were a contributing factor.
“It is extremely important that the Health Board, the Welsh Government, and we as elected officials have a full understanding of the serious impact these waiting lists are having on the people of Wales.
“Urgent questions need to be asked about why this information is not currently being collected and investigated following each death.”
ENDS
Photo: Janet Finch-Saunders MS/AS
Mewn ymateb i gais Rhyddid Gwybodaeth, dywedodd Bwrdd Iechyd Prifysgol Betsi Cadwaladr nad oedd yn gallu penderfynu a fyddai'r 8,503 o gleifion a fu farw tra ar restr aros gofal a gynlluniwyd wedi goroesi pe baen nhw wedi cael eu gweld yn gynharach. Fodd bynnag, mae'r Bwrdd Iechyd wedi pwysleisio y bydd llawer wedi marw am resymau nad ydynt yn gysylltiedig â'u hamser aros am driniaeth.
Ar adeg pan mae 1 o bob 4 o bobl yng Nghymru ar restr aros, mae'n peri pryder nad yw adolygiadau clinigol o nodiadau cleifion yn cael eu cynnal ar ôl marwolaeth unrhyw un ar restr aros gofal a gynlluniwyd. Mae'n hanfodol i'r Bwrdd Iechyd a Llywodraeth Cymru fod yn gwbl ymwybodol o'r effaith mae'r rhestrau aros helaeth hyn yn ei chael.
Mae Janet Finch-Saunders, yr Aelod o’r Senedd dros Aberconwy, yn siomedig iawn nad yw'r wybodaeth hon yn cael ei chadw ac mae wedi codi cwestiynau difrifol am ganlyniadau'r diffyg data hwn, yn ogystal â'r effaith sylweddol mae'r rhestrau aros hyn yn ei chael ar gleifion.
Wrth sôn am yr ymateb i’r cais Rhyddid Gwybodaeth, dywedodd Janet:
"Mae etholwyr yn cysylltu â mi yn aml ynglŷn â'r rhestrau aros helaeth, sy'n achosi straen a phryder sylweddol iddyn nhw. Maen nhw'n poeni am effaith peidio â chael eu trin yn ddigon buan. Mae hyn yn gwbl annerbyniol ac yn ychwanegu at eu trallod.
"Mae rhai etholwyr sy'n wynebu'r amseroedd aros hirfaith hyn yn delio â chyflyrau sy'n peryglu bywyd. Dyna pam mae'r ymateb gan Fwrdd Iechyd Prifysgol Betsi Cadwaladr yn peri pryder mawr. Dylen nhw fod yn ymchwilio i farwolaethau cleifion ar restrau aros i benderfynu a oedd yr oedi yn ffactor a gyfrannodd at eu marwolaeth.
"Mae'n hynod bwysig bod gan y Bwrdd Iechyd, Llywodraeth Cymru a ni fel swyddogion etholedig ddealltwriaeth lawn o'r effaith ddifrifol mae'r rhestrau aros hyn yn ei chael ar bobl Cymru.
"Mae angen gofyn cwestiynau brys ynghylch pam nad yw'r wybodaeth hon yn cael ei chasglu a’i defnyddio i ymchwilio i bob marwolaeth."
DIWEDD
Llun: Janet Finch-Saunders AS
