Last week, Janet Finch-Saunders, the Member of the Welsh Parliament for Aberconwy, challenged the First Minister on the significant delays and backlogs for dermatology, PET scans, and hernia treatments.
The First Minister rebuked the Member during the exchange, stating that waiting times had been slashed.
Following this, Janet commented:
“As an elected official, I often get approached by constituents who are struggling to get an appointment to start their treatment for dermatology, PET scans, and hernia treatment. These delays cause significant strain and worry for patients, who, in cases such as dermatology, are concerned about potentially life-threatening conditions such as skin cancer.
“Some people are waiting over 100 weeks. Without timely treatment, people are being put in difficult positions when it comes to the activities of their day-to-day lives. This cannot be allowed to continue. I have even heard of instances where due to delays in treatment, a gall bladder ruptured, which is a very serious situation.
“I challenged the First Minister on these waiting times and on contracts being cancelled, causing people to have to travel to either England or South Wales for a scan. This is completely unacceptable.
“Since Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board has been in special measures, the Welsh Labour Government and its Cabinet Secretary have been responsible for the services being provided. The buck stops with them. I continue to call on the First Minister to take urgent action to ensure that these contracts are maintained and that reducing this backlog is addressed.”
ENDS
Photo: Janet Finch-Saunders MS/AS
