How is the Cabinet Minister working with Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board to ensure that surgeries for cancer patients are not delayed?
The management of operating theatre capacity and the scheduling of cancer surgery are matters for Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board. However, improving cancer care, outcomes and experiences remains a priority for this Government.
NHS Wales Performance and Improvement is working closely with the health board through regular performance oversight, monitoring delivery against national standards, identifying opportunities to increase capacity, and supporting service improvements to reduce delays. The Welsh Government will continue to hold the health board to account through established accountability arrangements while supporting local efforts to ensure cancer patients receive timely treatment.
More broadly, work is underway to develop the National Cancer Strategy for Wales, which will set out an ambitious 10-year vision for transforming the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer, providing the NHS with the clarity it needs to deliver better care for the people of Wales.