Joyce seeks answers on Hywel Dda winter surgery plan

Joyce Watson AM today questioned Welsh health minister Mark Drakeford about Hywel Dda health board’s plan to postpone some non-urgent surgery this winter.
Speaking during an Urgent Question session in the Senedd this afternoon, Mrs Watson said:
“I wrote to the chairman of Hywel Dda health board yesterday to seek reassurances, and I received a response from Mr Chris Martin first thing this morning.
“He clarified that Dr Kloer did not say that Hywel Dda LHB would be cancelling orthopaedic appointments, that all those currently listed for surgery will have their operations and that the proposals are to re-profile and prioritise the current waiting lists. I welcome the commitment that patients with urgent clinical need will be seen and will be treated.
“However, how long will non-urgent patients be expected to wait, given that the vast majority, over 80 per cent, of Hywel Dda patients are currently seen within 26 weeks? How will patients be informed and will the process of informing patients happen sooner rather than later?”
The minister responded:
“I thank Joyce Watson for those questions. I am glad that she was able to receive a very swift response from Hywel Dda LHB to the concerns that she raised with it. Its plan, if it goes ahead, involves the greater use of day-case and non-surgical forms of treatment, and it anticipates a higher volume of out-patient appointments over the winter so that those people who are waiting for elective surgery will be properly and thoroughly managed.”