RCS correspondence on elective cardiac surgery waiting times in South Wales

The RCS wrote to Healthcare Inspectorate Wales (HIW) to ask for an update on whether our concerns regarding cardiac surgery waiting times in Wales have been addressed. We are currently waiting for the publication of two associated reports: The Welsh Health Specialised Services Committee's report on the mortality of patients waiting for elective surgery in South Wales, along with a separate report from the 'Cardiac Surgery Working Group of the Cardiac Services Review for Wales'.

1 August 2013

Following our letter to the Healthcare Inspectorate Wales (HIW) on 15 July, the RCS has now received a formal response. The HIW assures us that they are looking into the issues which we identified with some urgency, working with the health boards in South Wales and the Welsh Government. The HIW will then determine whether further work will be necessary.

26 July 2013

Following figures released today by the Chief Executive of the Cardiff and Vale University Health Board regarding the numbers of patients dying on their waiting lists while for elective cardiac surgery, the Royal College of Surgeons has published its recent correspondence with Health Inspectorate Wales (HIW).

Our letter highlights our grave concerns about a serious patient safety issue - patients waiting too long for elective cardiac surgery in South Wales. We write that members of our governing council raised this with the College as an urgent matter and that the waiting lists are higher than is clinically appropriate and carry significant risks.  As the inspectorate and regulator of healthcare in Wales we urged them look into the matter swiftly - we are yet to receive a response.

Notes to editors

Cardiac surgery is performed in two hospitals in South Wales: The Morriston Hospital and the University Hospital of Wales.

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