Concern over long waiting times for planned procedures in Fflint Wrecsam

Sam Rowlands, Member of the Welsh Parliament for Fflint Wrecsam, has called for more to be done to speed up cataract operations in his constituency.

Mr Rowlands, who has often raised the issue in the Senedd, has asked the new First Minister, Rhun ap Iowerth to accelerate these operations.

Speaking in the Senedd, he said:

“One particular area that I believe requires some extra focus, ironically, is that of cataract operations.

“People are having to wait two years or more for cataract operations. During that time, it can be debilitating for people, especially if they need to drive, in rural areas of my constituency of Fflint Wrecsam, when they're waiting for years for what is actually quite a simple procedure in the grand scheme of things.

“People who live just over the border in Cheshire are waiting six weeks for exactly the same operation to take place. It strikes me that there's an issue there with the commissioning of services, which could make a big difference to accelerating people's waits when it comes to cataract operations.

“Would you look at that, First Minister, to see where, specifically, cataract operations can be accelerated to ensure that those thousands of people who are waiting currently no longer have to wait without being able to see properly?”

The First Minister said that they know that, when it comes to the eyes, it is particularly important to pursue treatment as quickly as possible and it is something that the Government is very, very aware of.

Mr Rowlands added:

“This is something I have raised time and time again in the Senedd and I do hope that the new Plaid Cymru Welsh Government will take this on board.

“Let's not forget that this loss of sight, many times, is treatable, but people are losing their sight because they're waiting too long on these lists.”

Pictured - Sam Rowlands, Member of the Welsh Parliament for Fflint Wrecsam.