Darren Millar
Commenting on concerns from the Royal College of Surgeons that there remains ‘substantial work’ to raise standards of cardiac care in Cardiff & Vale University Health Board and that the College ‘remains concerned’ about access to cardiac surgery, Darren Millar AM, Shadow Minister for Health, said:
“Almost a year after the Royal College of Surgeons warned that too many patients are dying because they’re waiting too long for heart surgery, it is clear not enough progress is being made.
“Some patients are waiting so long for treatment that their conditions worsen to such an extent that they need far more complex surgery, which involves greater risk, not to mention the distress caused to patients and their families.
“The Welsh Government gave the green light to deals with a private hospital in England to secure cardiac treatment for Welsh patients because they were unable to access services in Wales.
“Waiting too long for cardiac surgery puts patients’ lives at risk.
“Labour Ministers could help address this crisis in cardiac care by reversing the damaging cuts they imposed on the Welsh NHS, which have seen beds cut, services axed and hospitals closed.
“We need action now to address the crisis in cardiac care before more patients lose their lives waiting for surgery.”
