First Minister waffles on North Wales renal dialysis treatment.

Cymraeg
English

Eleanor Burnham <info@eburnham.org.uk>

First Minister waffles on North Wales renal dialysis treatment. - Burnham

November 13, 2007 12:00 AM

Eleanor Burnham, Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member for North Wales, slammed the First Minister for ducking the question on vital renal dialysis treatment for the people in North Wales. Speaking during First Minister ' s questions, Rhodri Morgan failed to reassure AMs on the former Health Minister's promise to ensure that no-one in Wales should be more than 30 minutes away from renal dialysis treatment centres.

Ms Burnham said:

"This is typical of this administration; making promises to alleviate the long suffering patient with renal disease who have to travel many miles to a treatment centre for dialysis.

"The treatment itself can be a long, wearing and painful process without having to travel long distances to receive treatment.

"I commend the work of the three North Wales treatment centres at Bangor, Rhyl and Wrexham. They deliver excellent standard of service. However given the geography of Wales and the location of district general hospitals, some patients still end up travelling to dialysis units situated more than 30 minutes from their homes. Without satellite dialysis units, it will not be possible to achieve the 30 minute target."

ENDS/DIWEDD

Notes to Editor:

• About 10,000 people in Wales have renal disease and it affects all ages.

• There is good evidence that early detection and effective treatment can delay or even prevent progression of renal disease.

• When renal disease becomes established, services need to be available to respond appropriately to the demand for dialysis and transplantation or other alternative ways of managing the disease.

Contact/Cyswllt: Myrddin Edwards 02920 898345

Release/Rhyddau: Tuesday 13th November 2007

Embargo: None