4. Will the First Minister make a statement on the provision of orthopaedic surgery? OAQ52221

Yes. Orthopaedic surgery is provided at each health board across Wales and we expect all patients to be seen as quickly as possible and in accordance with Welsh waiting times standards.

A few weeks ago, I was contacted by a constituent who had seen a news report on tv the night before of waiting times of as much as 18 months for hip operations. But she noted that this didn't mention knee operations, having been informed that see wouldn't get an appointment for two years minimum, but if she wanted, or could afford, to go private she could have it done within six weeks at a cost of £11,000. How do you respond, therefore, to her statement to me, and what will you tell her regarding this statement, 'It seems so unfair that I have to suffer constant pain, loss of sleep and a great deal of trouble just because I can't afford to pay over £11,000 for my first operation'? She's a 75-year-old lady.

Well, obviously, she's in a great deal of pain and, of course, that is something that nobody would welcome. It's very difficult to give an opinion on an individual's case without knowing more about it. If the Member wants to write to me, then, of course, I will look at it. Generally, if we look at Betsi Cadwaladr, well, BC have received £11 million out of the performance money specified for referral-to-treatment times last year. What we have seen is that the March 2018 position was 39 per cent lower than the original profile. We've seen, for example, a reduction since October 2017 of people waiting for more than 38 weeks and I can say that BC are developing an orthopaedic plan for the region, looking at models of care and service redesign. That's been to their board on several occasions I understand, and officials are discussing that proposal with BC.

Rhun ap Iorwerth. 

Question 5, Mick Antoniw.