North Wales Assembly Member Mark Isherwood challenged the First Minister yesterday over lengthy waits in Wales for orthopedic surgery, referring to the case of a 75-year-old constituent who is in constant pain but has been told she will have to wait two years for an operation unless she pays £11,000 for private treatment.
Raising the matter in the Assembly Chamber yesterday, Mr Isherwood said:
“A few weeks ago, I was contacted by a constituent who had seen a news report on TV the night before of waiting times of as much as 18 months for hip operations. She noted that this didn't mention knee operations, having been informed that she wouldn't get an appointment for two years minimum, but if she wanted, or could afford, to go private she could have it done within six weeks at a cost of £11,000.
“How do you respond, therefore, to her statement to me, and what will you tell her regarding this statement, 'It seems so unfair that I have to suffer constant pain, loss of sleep and a great deal of trouble just because I can't afford to pay over £11,000 for my first operation'? She's a 75-year-old lady.”
The First Minister said “It's very difficult to give an opinion on an individual's case without knowing more about it” but told Mr Isherwood to write to him.
ENDS