In Coeliac Disease Awareness Week, North Wales MS Mark Isherwood has challenged the Welsh Government over the steps it is taking to tackle the challenge of under-diagnosis of the condition in Wales.
Raising the matter in the Senedd during yesterday’s Business Statement, he also highlighted that it currently takes 13 years for an adult in Wales to receive a diagnosis of Coeliac Disease from the onset of symptoms and asked what plans Ministers have to reduce this.
He said:
“I call for a Statement from the Health Minister, on diagnoses of Coeliac Disease. This is actually Coeliac Disease Awareness Week, 15-21 May, and Coeliac Disease is a serious lifelong illness, when the body's immune system attacks its own tissues when gluten is eaten.
“In a written answer I received from the Health Minister today, she states that the Welsh Government has ‘no plans to develop a specific pathway for Coeliac Disease at this time’ in Wales, but that she expects ‘all Health Boards to take full account of the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence's clinical guidelines in the planning and delivery of services’.
“One in 100 people have Coeliac Disease and they need to know what steps the Welsh Government is taking to tackle the challenge of under-diagnosis of Coeliac Disease in Wales and, in doing so, enable the more than 20,000 people across the nation as yet undiagnosed to get the answer they deserve; and what plans the Welsh Government has to reduce the 13 years it currently takes an adult in Wales from the onset of symptoms to receive a diagnosis of Coeliac Disease. I call for a Statement accordingly.”
Responding, the Trefnydd, Lesley Griffiths MS, said:
“I'm very pleased that you've had an answer to your question today from the Minister for Health and Social Services. I think it's good to be reminded that many of our constituents do suffer from coeliac, and I thank Coeliac UK for having this awareness week this week.”
Speaking afterwards, Mr Isherwood said:
“The Minister’s response dodged the issues I highlighted, sidestepped my call for a Statement from the Health Minister and demonstrated once again the Labour Welsh Government's attempts to avoid scrutiny.”