Four year waiting list scandal

4.05.47pm UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 25th Sep 2006

Welsh Liberal Democrat AM for Brecon and Radnorshire, Kirsty Williams, has been raising awareness of the shocking waits some constituents face to receive diagnostic health tests.

Despite the Labour Assembly Government's target that no-one should wait more than 36 weeks, the local AM has been made aware that patients are being told they will have to wait four years to receive a bone scan.

Ms Williams said: "When people are unwell, they need access to treatment as quickly as possible. Diagnostic tests, such as bone scans, give GPs and specialists vital information about a patient's condition - how can they possibly treat a person accurately without this information? 36 weeks is an unacceptably long wait; that the Assembly Government is failing to meet even that low standard is a scandal. It is obvious that there is a critical shortage of resources in this field, and I will be continuing to lobby the Health Minister on this matter, to try and improve the situation for my constituents."

Notes:

§ Ms Williams raised the issue of bone scan waiting times in the constituency during questions to the Health Minister in plenary on the 20th September. A full transcript of that, and every other, plenary session is available at www.wales.gov.uk.