Meetings

NDM5557 David Rees (Aberavon)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

Notes the report by the Health and Social Care Committee on the availability of bariatric services, which was laid in the Table Office on 21 May 2014.

Note: The response of the Minister for Health and Social Services to the report was laid in the Table Office on 9 July 2014.

Supporting Documents

Health and Social Care Committee’s Report

Welsh Government’s Response

The item started at 17.06

NDM5557 David Rees (Aberavon)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

Notes the report by the Health and Social Care Committee on the availability of bariatric services, which was laid in the Table Office on 21 May 2014.

The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

2.1 The Committee discussed and agreed the draft report on the inquiry into the availability of bariatric services subject to minor amendments.

Mark Drakeford AM, Minister for Health and Social Services

Dr Sarah Watkins, Head of Mental Health and Vulnerable Groups Division, Welsh Government

Chris Tudor-Smith, Head of Health Improvement Division, Welsh Government

4.1 The Committee scrutinised the Minister for Health and Social Services on the availability of bariatric services.

4.2 During the session the Minister indicated that he would provide information on the cost implications to the NHS of carrying out corrective surgery on patients who have undergone bariatric surgery outside Wales.

Welsh Association of Gastroenterology and Endoscopy

Dr Dev Datta, Consultant in Biochemistry and Metabolic Medicine

Royal College of Surgeons

Colin Ferguson, Director of Professional Affairs

British Obesity and Metabolic Surgery Society

Jonathan Barry, Consultant Laparoscopic Bariatric Surgeon

3.1. The witnesses responded to questions from Committee members.

3.2 Mr Barry agreed to provide further information on the 11 full operating lists he cited as lost in the last financial year, including further information about what “11 full operating lists” amounts to in terms of patient numbers and as a proportion of WIMOS’s overall workload.

Local Health Boards

Jan Smith, Executive Director of Therapies and Health Science, Aneurin Bevan Health Board

Alison Shakeshaft, Director of Therapies, Aneurin Bevan Health Board

Scott Caplin, Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board

4.1. The witnesses responded to questions from Committee members.

4.2 Dr Jane Layzell agreed to clarify whether an independent evaluation of the “Healthy Schools” programme has been undertaken.

National Obesity Forum for Wales

Dr Nadim Haboubi, Chair and Consultant Physician in Adult Medicine and Gastroenterology

British Obesity Surgery Patients Association

Chrissie Palmer, Trustee

2.1. The witnesses responded to questions from Committee members.

2.2 Dr Haboubi agreed to provide further detail on the number of patients that he has referred for bariatric surgery, and the number of patients who have received surgery as a consequence of those referrals.

Welsh Health Specialised Services Committee

Dr Khesh Sidhu, Deputy Medical Director & Consultant in Public Health Medicine

Public Health Wales

Dr Suzanne Wood, Consultant in Public Health, Public Health Wales (based in Cardiff and Vale University Health Board)

5.1. The witnesses responded to questions from Committee members.

5.2 Dr Sidhu agreed to clarify NICE figures he cited during the session in relation to:

-       the number of individuals in Wales eligible for referral to bariatric services;

-       the number of individuals eligible for bariatric surgery;

-       the number of individuals likely to accept surgery.  

6.1. The Committee agreed to undertake two external visits for the inquiry into the availability of bariatric services: to Swansea University and Morriston Hospital on 13 February, and to a focus group session in Newport on 12 March. All expenditure associated with the two visits was agreed by the Committee.