CEREDIGION MP Ben Lake has expressed concern over “unacceptable” waiting times at North Road Eye Clinic in Aberystwyth which are forcing patients to go private.

Patients at Aberystwyth’s North Road Eye Clinic are facing extremely long waiting times of up to 12 months for appointments and treatment, and many patients are being forced to consider paying for private treatment to avoid delays imposed by the cash-strapped NHS.

Patients with specific eye conditions, such as cataracts, glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration, are justifiably concerned that their cases are not being reviewed or treated within a safe timeframe.

Mr Lake, Ceredigion MP, said: “This is a worrying situation for people with eye conditions across the county. It is unacceptable that patients are having to wait so long to receive treatment, and that some are forced into paying for private treatment or having to suffer deteriorating conditions.

“The current situation is clearly unsustainable, and I urge the Welsh Labour Government to address it as a matter of urgency by increasing provision for NHS eyecare services in Wales, and ensuring that the resources required to improve performance and reduce waiting times are allocated.”