A local AM has welcomed the Welsh Government’s recognition that there are serious issues at Hywel Dda University Health Board following the cancellation of operations at Bronglais General Hospital.
Russell George, AM for Montgomeryshire wrote to Hywel Dda University Health Board and the Health Minister, Mark Drakeford, on behalf of constituents who have had elective operations cancelled at short notice.
In her response, Bernadine Rees, Chair of the Health Board, noted that there was significant pressures on available bed capacity due to high levels of demand for emergency and unscheduled care.
As a result, the Minister has echoed the concerns of Russell George and has also written to the health board for a detailed briefing and an explanation of how it is mitigating these issues.
Following Professor Drakeford’s response, Mr George said:
“I am grateful to the Minister for writing to Hywel Dda University Health Board to reinforce my concerns about the ongoing cancellation of elective operations at Bronglais General Hospital.
“I am pleased that the Minister seems to acknowledge that there are serious issues at the Health Board and I look forward to receiving a copy of the briefing which he has requested from its Chair, Bernadine Rees.
“One of my constituents has been waiting for an operation for almost 58 weeks and has been passed from pillar to post.
“I understand that there have been no elective inpatient operations at Bronglais Hospital since well before Christmas due to “winter pressures”. This is clearly unacceptable.
“It is now almost May and I am very concerned that decisions about the cancellation of inpatient elective procedures are being taken by administrators rather than clinicians.
“I would like to see elective operations begin again at Bronglais at the earliest opportunity so I welcome the Minister’s commitment to looking into these issues and I look forward to receiving an update on behalf of the many constituents who rely on medical care from Aberystwyth.”