Cymru Versus Arthritis’ campaign

 

Thank you for contacting me about Cymru Versus Arthritis’ campaign ‘Impossible to Ignore’ to safely restart arthritis services in Wales.

 

I recognise that living with a long-term condition, such as arthritis, has a significant impact upon a person’s wellbeing and I would like to thank the Cymru Versus Arthritis for raising awareness of this issue.

 

Please note that:

 

  • I am writing to Simon Dean, Interim Chief Executive, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, with the template letter I received from Cymru Versus Arthritis
  • I have tweeted my support for the campaign
  • I have posted “Support and information for people with arthritis, particularly those who are waiting longer for joint replacement and other services, is available at Versus Arthritis information and support services - versusarthritis.org/freephone helpline number - 0800 5200 520”
  • and that I have submitted the following Written Question to the Health Minister (Written Questions are subject to a max. 50 word limit): “What action is the Minister taking to ensure that the needs of people with arthritis and related conditions are included in local service recovery plans, and that services, including planned joint replacement surgery, will be safely restarted, where many people with arthritis will have had their care or treatments paused?”. His response is below.

 

Welsh Conservatives understand that, while it has been important to postpone some NHS activities to protect individuals and enable resources to be used as efficiently as possible during the coronavirus outbreak, it is essential that services now resume to help those who are suffering from long-term conditions such as arthritis.  It is appalling to see that, in Wales, nearly 500,000 people were waiting for treatment even before the pandemic hit, and Welsh Conservatives find it unacceptable that the Welsh Labour Government has been slow to ensure vital NHS services can resume in a safe and orderly manner.

 

As a result, Welsh Conservatives will continue to raise the points you mention directly with the Minister for Health and the Welsh Labour Government.

 

 

Thank you again for taking the time to write to me.

 

Kind regards

 

Mark

 

Mark Isherwood MS/AS

Member of the Welsh Parliament/Senedd Cymru for North Wales

Shadow Minister for Local Government, Housing and Communities

Shadow Minister for the Armed Forces and North Wales

 

 

Mark Isherwood North Wales  What action is the Minister taking to ensure that the needs of people with arthritis and related conditions are included in local service recovery plans, and that services, including planned joint replacement surgery, will be safely restarted, where many people with arthritis will have had their care or treatments paused? (WQ80811)

 

 

Vaughan Gething:

I expect Health Boards to develop plans that meet the needs of their local populations.  In terms of patients with musculoskeletal conditions, including arthritis, my officials are setting up a task and finish group to look at redesigning the whole patient pathway from initial appointment in primary care through to secondary care services and any parts in between.

 

With regards to restarting surgery, as part of their Quarterly plans, Health Boards are currently redesigning the care environment to ensure those patients with, or suspected of having coronavirus are kept separate from other patients.  Consultants have been asked to go through their waiting lists and to risk stratify and prioritise each patient, so that when it is possible to safely reintroduce joint surgery, those with most urgent need are seen first.  In the meantime, Health Boards continue to hold virtual and telephone consultations with patients, and where it is deemed necessary and in the best interest of the patient, they are being seen face-to-face.