Isn't it incredible how politicians manage to weedle their way out of taking any responsibility for anything bad that happens during their tenure in office. Lesley Griffiths probably obtained a Masters Degree in "Manipulation and deception" at Hogwarts, as I can't imagine any 'red-brick' university admitting to having her as even a short-term student. What's it about ? I'm glad you asked.
The Western Mail reports that 54,627 operations were cancelled in Wales over the past two years.
This figure is a fact, as Martin Shipton would never report a figure of such importance unless he was 100% certain of his facts. Of course, The Health Boards and our Government claim - with no proof being offered, as is their custom - that 9,127 operations were cancelled by the patients, for assorted unbelievable reasons. They further claim, in similar fashion, that the balance of the 54,627 operations were cancelled 'for justifiable and professional reasons'. ( Yeah Right ). Shocking as my next revellation might seem - I don't believe them, because of some very factual reasons that the Minister appears to have overlooked i.e - the availability of beds and the resulting reorganisation of procedures as a result !
Where I live, there are 29 residents, of whom some 7 have been scheduled for surgery at Llandough Hospital or U.H.W., without having their appointed dates met. "Ring us at 6.00am on the day to make sure a bed is available", which ( after 20 or so attempts ) earns them the response, "Sorry, there isn't a bed currently available". They then have to wait weeks or months before another date is offered ( but not guaranteed ). Any complaint is usually met with some pre-packed response such as, "this time of year is exceptionally busy because of the current weather, or an outbreak of Ebola, Bovine Tuberculosis, Foot and Mouth Disease, Swine Flu etc, etc. ad nauseum. I have even known of Cardiac in patients being told that their Coronary Artery by-pass, or valve replacement operation, has been cancelled due to a " high influx of emergencies". So, as the song goes, "Nelly the Elephant packed her trunk and said 'Goodbye' to the circus....... these patients being sent home to await another possible ( but not guaranteed ) appointment, and if you die in the meantime, thanks for helping us shorten the waiting list.
So, can anyone out there in sick people land offer any other reasons, or is Lesley Griffiths correct to say that I, the Western Mail, Plaid Cymru (and now you ? ) are "taking an over-simplistic and deliberately disto ?rted view of the facts to make a cheap point". Comments, please ? R.W.
PS You may recall a post/article dated 7th August, in which the 'Health board bids to save money by rise in operations. What happened to this plan ?
Remember, the main reason we have this pro blem is because the Universall Inept Health Board has consistently and systematically cut the number of hospitals and hospital beds in order to reduce costs. This inexplicable behaviour has also included the rationalisation of all services, plus the centralisation of services, which make them more inaccessible to urban and rural patieents. Also, the Discharge Proceduire has changed so that nurses have the authority to discharge patients as soon as possible, regardless of the fact that treatment is shortcut and re-admissions have increased as a direct result of Incompetent Management by the U.I.H.B. and NHS Wales - all with government approval. RW Edit
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