FIRST Minister Carwyn Jones has clarified his remarks after he made a gaffe about Bronglais Hospital services at the Welsh Assembly.

After he was asked by Arfon AM Sian Gwenllian about services at Ysbyty Gwynedd at First Minister’s Questions on 17 October, Mr Jones mistakenly said colorectal surgery had moved from Bronglais to Cardiff and that it had been a success.

Colorectal services, including surgery, are currently offered at Bronglais but these are under review with recommendations on future services due shortly.

But Mr Jones has since clarified he was referring to “reconfiguration of upper gastrointestinal cancer surgery in south Wales” when arguing that centralisation of specialised services often had good outcomes.

In a letter to Ms Gwenllian sent on 2 November, Mr Jones said: “I am writing in reference to First Minister’s Questions on Tuesday, 17 (October) with regard to the future of vascular services at Ysbyty Gwynedd Hospital.

“In my reply I referenced the improved outcomes that had resulted from reconfiguring colorectal services in south Wales.

“I wish to clarify that I was actually referring to the reconfiguration of upper gastrointestinal cancer surgery in south Wales.

“The Royal College of Surgeons in England published a report in 2015, which described how the service was centralised in Cardiff and this improved the rate of curative treatment intent from 21 per cent to 36 per cent; length of hospital stay after surgery decreased from 16 days to 13 days; and median survival increased by 24 per cent.”

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