8. Will the First Minister make a statement on knee replacement waiting times in South Wales West? OAQ53323

I thank the Member for that. Despite increased demand, waiting times for orthopaedic procedures in South Wales West are falling. The median waiting time for orthopaedic surgery in Hywel Dda, for example, is less than 14 weeks from referral to treatment. Nevertheless, where long waits exist, it is a priority for this Government that they too should be reduced.

Thank you for that last remark, First Minister, because my 87-year-old constituent was placed on the emergency list for knee surgery 16 months ago, with a promise of treatment in nine months—so, nine months is an emergency, apparently—but the target for surgery is six months. She's just been told that she has another year to wait, and she's 87. Otherwise very fit at that time, she's fallen several times since then because of her knee and is now physically and mentally frail. Because of that, she is no longer able to take up the offer of being able to travel to the European Union for private surgery at a cost that is, of course, much, much lower than it is here in the UK. Now, this isn't a Brexit question; the point I'm making is, because of her wait, she's become frail, she can't take up that offer to go to the EU, and she has to pay three times as much here in Wales now, using her own and her husband's funeral funds in order to do that. At 87, you can understand why she is desperate. So, on equality grounds, should there be reimbursement of the difference between the private money she's paying here and the private money she would have been paying had she gone to the EU? The only reason she didn't go is because she was made promises by the local NHS about when she would be treated that were not met. She would have gone sooner if she'd been told how long she'd have to wait. 

Llywydd, I'm not in a position to announce new policy in answer to a question, of course. But the case that the Member raised is concerning, and I'm sure that, if she were to write directly to the health Minister, he will certainly be willing to consider the details of the specific case and any policy issues that arise from it.

I thank the First Minister.