Janet Finch-Saunders, Member of the Welsh Parliament for Aberconwy, has spoken out about the Breast MRI scan crisis at Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board.
Having been liaising with the executive team of the Health Board for several months about delayed breast MRI scan results, Mrs Finch-Saunders has now been advised that:
- the Consultant Radiologist splits their working week between Breast Test Wales and the Health Board and they only have time set aside for reporting results on two mornings each week, during which urgent patients are prioritised;
- there is no cover for the Consultant when they are on annual leave;
- there is a newly recruited Breast Test Wales radiologist, who is only available at the start of each working week.
Commenting on the Health Board’s management of breast MRI scans, Janet said:
“As the Health Board knows, a number of people are waiting over 6 weeks for breast MRI scan results. That is completely unacceptable.
“It is unsatisfactory that the whole Health Board only has a single Consultant Radiologist who can report on MRI results, and that they only work two mornings a week.
“It is shocking too that no arrangements have been made for when the Consultant is on annual leave. It means that whenever they are ill or on holiday, MRI scans simply pile up awaiting interpretation.
“This is a disgraceful crisis that is causing distress to residents anxious to know if they are unwell.
“The executive team have been aware that I am dissatisfied with the service for some time, yet, there has been no improvement. I encourage all who are waiting for breast MRI results to submit formal complaints, and for a plan of action to be put together by the executive team so that residents are not left waiting as long as some of my constituents”.
ENDS
Mae Janet Finch-Saunders, yr Aelod o Senedd Cymru dros Aberconwy, wedi bod yn siarad am argyfwng sganiau MRI y Fron Bwrdd Iechyd Prifysgol Betsi Cadwaladr.
Ar ôl bod yn cysylltu ers misoedd â thîm gweithredol y Bwrdd Iechyd ynghylch arafwch canlyniadau sganiau MRI y fron, bellach mae Mrs Finch-Saunders wedi cael gwybod:
- bod y Radiolegydd Ymgynghorol yn rhannu ei wythnos waith rhwng Bron Brawf Cymru a'r Bwrdd Iechyd a dim ond ar ddau fore’r wythnos mae amser wedi ei ddynodi ar gyfer adrodd canlyniadau, ac yn ystod yr amser hwn rhoddir blaenoriaeth i gleifion brys;
- ni ddarperir staff cyflenwi ar gyfer yr Ymgynghorydd pan fydd ar wyliau;
- mae radiolegydd newydd gael ei recriwtio ar gyfer Bron Brawf Cymru, sydd ar gael ar ddechrau pob wythnos waith yn unig.
Cafwyd sylwadau pellach gan Janet am y modd y mae’r Bwrdd Iechyd yn rheoli sganiau MRI y fron ac meddai:
"Fel y mae'r Bwrdd Iechyd yn gwybod, mae nifer o bobl yn aros dros 6 wythnos am ganlyniadau sganiau MRI y fron. Mae hynny'n gwbl annerbyniol.
"Mae'n anfoddhaol bod y Bwrdd Iechyd yn dibynnu ar ddim ond un Radiolegydd Ymgynghorol sy’n gallu adrodd ar ganlyniadau MRI, ac mai dim ond am ddau fore’r wythnos y mae’r person hwnnw’n gweithio.
"Mae hefyd yn frawychus nad oes trefniadau wedi eu gwneud ar gyfer cyfnodau gwyliau’r Ymgynghorydd. O ganlyniad, os yw’r Ymgynghorydd yn sâl neu ar wyliau, mae’r sganiau MRI yn pentyrru ac yn aros i gael eu dadansoddi.
"Mae hyn yn achos o argyfwng go iawn, ac mae'n peri gofid i drigolion sy'n awyddus i wybod os ydyn nhw'n sâl.
"Mae'r tîm gweithredol wedi bod yn ymwybodol fy mod i’n anfodlon â'r gwasanaeth ers cryn amser, ac eto, does dim gwelliant wedi bod. Rwy'n annog pawb sy'n aros am ganlyniadau MRI ar y fron i wneud cwyn ffurfiol, ac i'r tîm gweithredol lunio cynllun gweithredu ar frys fel nad yw trigolion yn cael eu cadw’n aros mor hir ag y mae rhai o fy etholwyr".
DIWEDD
