Will the Minister liaise with Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board to establish why residents with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are allegedly being refused eye treatment and directed to seek private treatment?
My officials have been in contact with the health board and they have been advised that the health board is not refusing eye treatment to patients with COPD.
As with all services, the health board has faced challenges in providing sufficient activity to meet demand during the pandemic, but it continues to increase service provision to help meet demand. The health board continues to prioritise all patients in order of clinical need. I met with representatives of the eye-care team in the health board on 18 June 2021 and raised this issue with them.