Management of follow up outpatients across Wales

Management of follow up outpatients across Wales

Complete

The Auditor General for Wales published his report, Management of follow up outpatients across Wales, on 31 October 2018.

A follow-up appointment is one that follows an initial attendance to outpatients. The reasons for a follow-up appointment include (but are not limited to) a review after surgery, management or maintenance of chronic conditions, or monitoring for signs of deterioration, prior to intervention.

As a result of growing national concerns relating to the management of follow-up outpatients, the Auditor General has undertaken initial and follow-up reviews at each health board in Wales over recent years to help define the extent of the challenges being faced and the progress that has been made in addressing them.

This report summarises the progress made by health boards since the Auditor General’s initial 2015-16 review; national arrangements to improve the management and performance of follow-up outpatients and changes in the waiting list, including the volume of patients waiting on the follow-up outpatient waiting list and those experiencing a delay.

The Report found that health boards have made some progress in response to recommendations made by the Auditor General in 2015-16, but the pace and impact on reducing the backlog of delayed follow-up appointments is limited, with significant variations between specialties and health boards across Wales. The average number of patients on the follow-up waiting list has increased by 12% over the last 3 years, with the number of patients waiting twice as long as they should be.

The Public Accounts Committee considered the Report and undertook an inquiry during the spring and summer 2019 terms, publishing its findings in July 2019.

 

The Committee has regularly monitored the implementation of the recommendations contained in its report and received regular updates from the Welsh Government, the final one being in September 2020.

Evidence Session

Date, Agenda and Minutes

Transcript

Video

1. Cardiff & Vale University Health Board

Len Richards

Steve Curry

Caroline Bird

Monday 11 March 2019

Read transcript of Evidence Session 1

Watch Evidence Session 1 on SeneddTV

2. Aneurin Bevan University Health Board

Judith Paget

Dr Paul Buss

Claire Birchall

Monday 11 March 2019

Read transcript of Evidence Session 2

Watch Evidence Session 2 on SeneddTV

3. RNIB Cymru

Ansley Workman

Elin Haf Edwards

Gareth Davies

Monday 1 April 2019

Read transcript of Evidence Session 3

Watch Evidence Session 3 on SeneddTV

4. Welsh Government

Dr Andrew Goodall

Simon Dean

Dr Chris Jones

Monday 10 June 2019

Read transcript of Evidence Session 4

Watch Evidence Session 4 on SeneddTV

 

Business type: Other

Status: Complete

First published: 07/11/2018

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