Andrew Turner, the Island’s MP, has asked questions in Parliament about the long delays Island residents have had to wait between diagnosis and treatment with the Island’s Primary Care Trust and mainland hospital services. Speaking in Parliament during a recent debate, Mr Turner used his speech to ask the Government to get to the bottom of the matter.

Mr Turner later said:
“I have had several constituents come to me over the last few weeks with stories of excessively long waiting times for treatment. I find this very worrying. There is a recognised maximum period that patients have to wait for treatment on the Island and that is around 18 weeks. One constituent who came to me had been waiting 26 weeks - a full 6 months - for treatment. These excessive waits put people’s jobs, mortgages, businesses and relationships in jeopardy and lower their quality of life. This is completely unacceptable.”
Mr Turner added:
“I feel especially sorry for Islanders suffering from back problems as there is no back specialist working out of St. Mary’s Hospital. These patients have to make the journey to the mainland and back, sometimes on several occasions before receiving treatment. One constituent who came to me suffering from back problems has been bounced from hospital to hospital on the mainland for weeks and is no closer to receiving treatment. Clearly, this cannot be allowed to continue. These excessive delays are ruining lives. I am concerned that whilst the government flounders, the people who really matter, those in need of treatment, are being forgotten.”

END Contact : Andrew Turner’s office 01983 530808
Link to Hansard : http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200809/cmhansrd/cm090521/debtext/90521-0009.htm#09052147000371