TOO many patients in severe pain are waiting too long for treatment at Abergavenny’s Nevill Hall Hospital and the Royal Gwent, Monmouth’s AM has complained writes PAUL JAMES.

Nick Ramsay was responding to figures which revealed 7,298 people were waiting between 26 and 36 weeks for treatment at the Aneurin Bevan Health Board hospitals while 3,323 were waiting more than 36 weeks.

Mr Ramsay said, “It is simply not acceptable that people, who are often in severe pain, are having to wait so long for treatment.

“It is not fair on them or their families and friends.”

And he revealed, “One of my constituents is among the 1,786 people who has been waiting over 36 weeks for orthopaedic surgery.

“She has been in considerable pain and distress while waiting for news of her operation.

“These latest statistics are proof that the Welsh Government’s NHS cuts are putting immense pressure on hard working frontline staff, while patients and their families are suffering by having to wait so long.”

He added, “I will continue to keep up the pressure on the Welsh Government to address this worrying issue.

“It is imperative that a clear strategy for improvement is put in place.”

The Welsh statistics released last week also showed that at the end of June over 25,000 hospital appointments across the country were delayed for more than nine months with 25,373 people waiting over 36 weeks for treatment. The target is zero.

* Meanwhile, Aneurin Bevan Community Health Council (ABCHC) has undertaken a ‘Bugwatch’ survey of Infection Prevention Practice.

The survey looked at hand and hygiene issues, clinical practice, ward environment, waste disposal, linen, disposal of sharps, care of equipment and visitor and patient information.

The survey was carried out unannounced in July on 27 wards across the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board’s acute hospitals - Nevill Hall and the Royal Gwent.

Results showed some areas of excellent compliance with infection control and prevention standards.

Fourteen of the 27 wards achieved 90 per cent compliance or more.

Some 13 wards demonstrated compliance below 90 per cent four of the 13 wards achieving below the 75 per cent compliance mark.

“Work is to be done to raise standards on these wards,” a Board spokesman said.

The aim is to make all wards at the acute hospitals 100 per cent compliant.