Will the Cabinet Minister outline the issues with the pre-operative assessment clinic system which has caused the cancellation of surgeries and the inability to fully book operating lists in Ysbyty Glan Clwyd?
The operational management of theatre utilisation, scheduling processes and pre-operative assessment arrangements is a matter for Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, which is responsible for the day-to-day delivery of planned care services at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd. The Health Board is therefore best placed to provide detailed information on the specific factors that have affected individual operating lists and any resulting cancellations.
More broadly, the Health Board has made progress in reducing long waits for treatment.
Whilst this progress is encouraging, challenges remain in maximising available capacity across planned care services, including ensuring operating theatres and clinic capacity are used as effectively as possible.
Officials from NHS Performance and Improvement are working closely with the Health Board to support recovery and maximise all available opportunities to improve planned care performance. This includes ongoing performance oversight, delivery support, sharing best practice and helping the organisation maximise the benefits of planned care recovery initiatives, additional capacity and pathway improvements. These efforts are intended to support further reductions in long waits and improve access to treatment for patients across North Wales.
The Welsh Government will continue to monitor performance closely through established accountability arrangements, while recognising that operational decisions relating to pre-operative assessment processes, theatre scheduling and service delivery remain the responsibility of the Health Board.