The number of people waiting for eye operations in one Welsh health board has risen rapidly during 2012.
9,285 people were on ophthalmology waiting lists in North Wales during October (latest statistics). 1,119 had been waiting between 26 and 36 weeks and 17 for longer.
These are the highest figures for this speciality in at least three years.
In March this year, 7,809 people were on Betsi Cadwaladr UHB’s waiting list and just 551 had been waiting between 26 and 36 weeks. None had waited longer.
Last year, Welsh Conservatives highlighted a serious problem within orthopaedic waiting times in North Wales. As a result, the health minister belatedly promised to crack down on the problem.
Shadow Minister for Health, Darren Millar AM, said, "In seven months the number of people waiting over 26 weeks for this treatment has trebled.
"Something has gone amiss and the health minister needs to work with the health board to put it right.
"A large number of the patients affected are likely to be elderly and vulnerable. Longer waits will add to their distress and the problem must be prioritised before it’s too late.
"Waiting times across Wales are completely dependent upon what you need and where you live. That continues to be unacceptable.
"Labour’s record-breaking NHS cuts are dragging hard-working frontline staff backwards. Waiting times will continue to suffer unless the minister takes decisive action to deal with them.
Notes:
Darren Millar (Clwyd West): Will the Minister provide the waiting times for initial referral for treatment (RTT), to ophthalmic outpatient appointments for each available month during 2011 and 2012 for each health board in Wales. (WAQ61828)
Lesley Griffiths:Information on referral to treatment waiting times for ophthalmology can be found at