Part of 3. 2. Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Well-being and Sport – in the Senedd at 2:57 pm on 1 March 2017.
I accept what the Member is saying. Hywel Dda is one of our problem areas within an overall improving national picture. Hywel Dda itself has made further progress in the last few years, but there’s actually been a significant backlog built up within Hywel Dda. Some of that is about making more effective and efficient use of the specialist service that exists. It’s also about making sure that people really do get to see a specialist in this area, as opposed to a general practitioner who does some work. We actually think we get better outcomes for individuals doing that, but also about making sure that referrals are made at an appropriate time and for the appropriate service. So, it’s something about referral behaviour. It means proper investment in the specialist end of the service and those that are genuine specialists in this area, and trying to make sure that we properly meet and match the supply and demand. I do accept that, in Hywel Dda, that has not been the case to date. But the health board are investing in this particular area and I expect to see further improvement made, because, as you said, waiting times in the Hywel Dda area are too long and I expect to see further progress made in the rest of this Assembly term.