A man has been told delays to his urgent surgery are because there are so many bank holidays in May and they can “only see him on a Monday”.
The Welsh NHS is currently really struggling with overcrowding, underfunding, staff shortages and chronic procedure backlogs dating back well before the pandemic. This man's experience is not unique but he wants to tell his story to shine a light this “utter madness” that thousands of people in Wales are facing navigating a health service that is creaking at the seams.
In November last year, 59-year-old Neil Williams from Sarn, Bridgend lost his wife to a brain tumour. By his own admission and quite understandably he went into a post-bereavement depression. He shortly started experiencing chest and stomach pains. He went to A&E and after three weeks in hospital and extensive tests he was diagnosed with needing a heart valve replacement or repair.
Read more: Living and dying in pain: The victims of Wales' NHS waiting list scandal
He was referred to Morriston Hospital which is part of Swansea Bay University Health Board. Despite being told he was being transferred as an inpatient, Mr Williams says this did not happen and he awaited an appointment with a consultant surgeon. This in itself was a frustration for Mr Williams as he wasn’t able to be added to the waiting list for his procedure until the appointment, despite the fact he had already been diagnosed as needing the procedure.
However despite the fact that this was identified as urgent he heard nothing from the doctor for over a month. Mr Williams then decided to ring the consultant’s secretary to find out what was going on. He was told that despite the urgency of the appointment he would not be able to see the doctor until June because “the doctor only does clinics on Mondays”. She added: “due to all the bank holidays and the doctors own holidays” there was “no way to have a consultation in April or May”.
Shocked, Mr Williams suggested that they could perhaps meet on a day other than Monday. He told WalesOnline: “She said that there were no rooms available any other day! I think that is the most staggering comment that they can’t get a room on other days.
“I would have met him in Swansea Services. They don’t even need to establish I need the surgery. But I don’t even get on the list till I have seen him. It is utter madness”
Even more frustratingly for Mr Williams is the fact that he is not able to go back to work until he has a capability assessment from a cardiologist. People on waiting lists unable to work has been a growing issue in recent years. Beyond the human suffering the issue also has a real economic impact.
“I want to go back to work,” said Mr Williams. “I don’t want to be a non-contributor. I am a director in a company. I have been told I can't go back because of this condition. I am not trying to circumvent a system, trying to get fit so I can get back to work and pay taxes.”
Swansea Bay University Health Board were asked to comment on Mr Williams’ case. A spokeswoman said: ““We are very sorry to hear of Mr Williams’ concerns. We can confirm he has already contacted the health board.
“The department involved is looking into his concerns, with the intention of responding directly to Mr Williams later this week. It would therefore be inappropriate to make any further comment at this stage.”
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