The local Labour AM used a question to Wales’ First Minister today to call for HywelDda Health Board’s plans for elective non-emergency orthopaedic surgery, in light of anticipated winter pressures, to be kept under weekly review. Keith Davies asked for patients to be kept fully aware of monitoring outcomes and operation dates.
The Llanelli AM also asked for assurances that the Health Board will effectively manage its specialist medical teams during this time period of winter pressures. Particularly in light of HywelDda’s plan to develop an orthopaedic centre of excellence at Llanelli’s Prince Philip Hospital.
Before Assembly recess, Keith Davies asked the Health Minister for a statement on how plans to cope with winter pressures will be monitored and evaluated, and sought assurances that all emergency cases are treated. The AM has also been in contact with HywelDda Health Board Chair, Chris Martin to raise the concerns of constituents.
Keith Davies AM said
“Following Hywel Dda Health Board’s announcement, I have been contacted by constituents who have raised concerns with me about the plans for elective non-emergency orthopaedic surgery. I have asked Llanelli residents waiting for surgery to get in touch with me on the matter.”
“Given that Llanelli’s Prince Philip Hospital has been identified by the Health Board to develop a centre of excellence for orthopaedics, I am keen to ensure that specialist medical teams we have on-site currently are managed effectively during the coming months. I have asked for a statement to confirm that any decisions taken to deal with winter pressures will not have implications here.”
“I will be writing to the First Minister and Health Minister to follow-up on the implementation of weekly review functions. Seeking further detail on how this will be done in practice and ensuring that patients are kept up to date with any outcomes and decisions on operation dates resulting therefrom.”
“I will continue to raise constituent concerns in all relevant discussions.”
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