Urology cancer care review call in north Wales

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board said it recognised that the "urology service is under pressure"

Urology cancer patients should not be treated in north Wales as the service which looks after them is not fit for purpose, according to a specialist.

Damian Heron, the director of the North Wales Cancer Network, claimed there are "hundreds of bladder cancer cases awaiting an appointment date".

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board said it recognised the service was under pressure and was taking action.

First Minister Carwyn Jones told the Senedd the issues are "short-term".

Mr Heron raised the concerns at a meeting of health officials last month and the minutes of that meeting said he "could not give an assurance that the service was fit for purpose, and he was of the opinion that urology cancer patients should not be treated in north Wales".

Mr Jones told assembly members in Cardiff Bay on Tuesday he was "confident issues are being resolved", saying that it was caused by the retirement of one consultant and the death of another.

However, Mr Heron called for "a root and branch approach" to resolving problems, highlighting the number of bladder cancer cases awaiting an appointment.

Increasing outpatient clinics

And he suggested an alliance with Arrowe Park Hospital in Wirral, Merseyside, saying it was not possible to recruit the required number of surgeons locally.

The issue was not discussed at a health board meeting on Tuesday although the minutes were noted.

Morag Olsen, health board chief operating officer, said: "We recognise that the urology service is under pressure and we are taking a number of steps to improve access for cancer patients by increasing productivity and creating further capacity.

"This includes increasing our outpatient clinics, providing more diagnostic services and recruiting two additional consultants.

"However, these measures alone will not be sufficient to provide sustainable services.

"We are therefore also working closely with Christies, the Wirral University Teaching Hospital and our own staff to develop a sustainable network of urology services within north Wales."

First Minister Mr Jones told assembly members in Cardiff Bay he was "confident issues are being resolved".