Written question WQ82638
- Asked by
- Janet Finch-SaundersConservative
- To be answered by
- Minister for Health and Social Services
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 10 days
Question
What steps is the Minister taking to reduce waiting times for eye treatment across Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board?
Answer
Answered by Minister for Health and Social Services
Essential and urgent eye care at Betsi Cadwaladr UHB has continued during the pandemic, and non-Covid related activity is now increasing at all health board sites, including ophthalmology services.
However the pandemic has had a significant impact on waiting times and Betsi Cadwaladr UHB is prioritising patients by clinical need as they restart routine activity. We recently announced a recovery plan for health boards to help them tackle the backlog of planned operations, supported by £100m extra funding and Betsi Cadwaladr UHB received their share of this funding.
The health board will be using the money to support increases in planned care, including ophthalmology, by utilising both insourcing and outsourcing activity.
I met with the eye care team in the health board on 18 June 2021 to discuss ophthalmology services across North Wales.