Copyright dailypost
North Wales Live readers have joined with a hospital consultant, leading a group of retired doctors and nurses, who have hit out at ministers over the ongoing hospital beds crisis in North Wales. Jonathan Osborne, a former ear, nose and throat surgeon at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd, said the Welsh Government shares the blame for Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board remaining in special measures. Mr Osborne, who fronts a Facebook campaign group of ex-NHS professionals, has repeatedly criticised the health board in recent weeks, slamming long A&E waits and poor treatment of staff. He said the first step to fixing the system must be restoring community hospital beds. But his frustration extends beyond the health board itself. He said: “North Wales is full of nightmare stories about health care. Whether it’s a 24-hour wait to be admitted from an accident and emergency department or a two-year wait for surgery, everyone knows someone who has been affected.” He added that even the board’s own chairman recently admitted the service was failing the people of North Wales and called for stronger leadership. “So what is going on when a health board that has been in Welsh Government special measures for such a long time sees all aspects of its service worsen?” he asked. “When the health minister (Jeremy Miles MS) is asked, he merely says in so many words that he has provided the money, so it is the health board’s problem.” A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board continues to be at the highest level of escalation – level 5 or special measures. While it has put in some important building blocks to become a sustainable NHS organisation, significant improvements are needed to improve planned and emergency care services. We continue to provide support and challenge to the health board as it works to improve services for people living in North Wales.” Health board chairman Dyfed Edwards said he and the chief executive had met with Mr Osborne’s group. “We value the opportunity to engage constructively and to listen to the views of others,” he added. Commenter Old bat thinks: “I understand bed blocking is a real issue, but the biggest cause of the queues and long waits in A&E is the fact people go there because they can’t get appointments with the GP. You can only get appointments for weeks in advance, that’s really no good especially with kids. They need to start at the bottom of the ladder with the GP services and the rest will follow.” Yes-cymru says: “They missed an opportunity just after covid, where did all those unused beds go? The government and the NHS need some joined up thinking.” Borntobemild complains: “The NHS has been understaffed for 15 years now. We need to train more doctors and nurses ourselves rather than relying on agency staff.” SCATHINGPEN believes: “Incompetence is the main reason for long A&E waiting times and lack of beds. I know that any criticism of the NHS can result in a barrage of replies defending the institution. However, in the last 20 years there has been a marked fall in the standard of care given.” Steamnut wonders: “As well as the problems with the Welsh NHS which Labour have managed so badly since devolution we, the public, have a part to play too. How many of us go to A&E with minor ailments that really do not need their services? Shutting out of hours GP services has also exacerbated the problem with the 111 service nearly always taking the safe option of ‘go to A&E’.” WelshLady999 writes: “I was a registered nurse for over 30 years and I know how hard staff work, but I am appalled at the consistently poor level of service given to patients, especially at Glan Clwyd Hospital. At one time, it would have been obvious to all who was the nursing manager in charge of the shift in A&E; not today. Care provision looks disjointed and it gives the impression of staff, including admin, working separately. It only takes something small to stack up, for everything else to back up behind it and become a big problem. It's a disgrace, and the standard of cleanliness there leaves a lot to be desired too. The whole system needs a shake-up and re-organising, and that includes the senior management!” Welly suggests: “Open up the community hospitals, get things in place quicker for people who want to go home, bring back the beds on the wards that have been cut to save money, and please get some more pillows. I do speak highly of the NHS. My children and I have always been well looked after. And ED staff do work hard, it’s not their fault with the waits, more staff and more beds needed, it’s that simple.” What has your experience been like with the NHS in North Wales? How do you think it could be improved? Have your say in our comments section.
