Will the Minister outline how many elective operations have been delayed as a result of the Covid-19 outbreak across Wales as of 1 June 2020?
We took an early decision to suspend planned surgery and appointments in mid-March to enable the NHS to plan for an increase in people with coronavirus, including increasing critical care capacity and retraining and redeploying staff where necessary.
While suspending appointments and surgery is never an easy option, this action help the NHS respond to the coronavirus pandemic within existing capacity.
Information about the number of elective operations delayed as a result of the pandemic is not currently available. However, based on management information comparing the number of elective admissions this year to last year, which can be used as a proxy for operations carried out, it shows that between March and April 2020 (the latest available data), there were almost 21,200 fewer surgical and midwifery admissions.
Emergency and urgent elective activity has continued throughout the pandemic and health boards have been able to offer people appointments using video and telephone appointments where appropriate.
All health boards and NHS trusts have submitted plans in response to the NHS Wales COVID-19 operating framework, which include the need for different streams and cohorting of patients. Guidance has been developed and circulated to health boards to help them resume more essential services, but services will only be restarted when it is safe for staff and patients.