Rhun ap Iorwerth calls for an urgent government debate to discuss waiting times at Ysbyty Gwynedd

Ynys Môn AM Rhun ap Iorwerth this week asked for an urgent debate in Government time to discuss the very real crisis that exists in terms of waiting times for orthopaedic surgery in Ysbyty Gwynedd, and the concern that that crisis has become something far worse.

Speaking at the Senedd yesterday, Rhun said:

“In May, which was the last time I asked for waiting time figures for orthopaedic surgery at Ysbyty Gwynedd, there were 2,200 people waiting at that point for 110 weeks. Now, since I received that last response from Betsi Cadwaladr health board, over the past few weeks that figure has gone up to 2,900 people with a waiting time of 115 weeks.

“Now, I don’t need to say that that is unacceptable. The chief executive of the health board has apologised in a recent letter to me and has accepted that this is unacceptable. But we’re not looking for apologies, but a system that allows patients in my constituency and nearby constituencies to receive treatment in a fair waiting time.

“There are two surgeons which are to be appointed from January, as I understand it. The truth is that this is too little and too late, and they are now dealing with a waiting list of 700 more people than if the decision had been taken six months ago to appoint when there was a real need for these surgeons. So, can we have an urgent debate on this, because, as I say, we were facing a crisis previously—it has gone beyond crisis now?”