Not seeing eye to eye (From Western Telegraph)

Not seeing eye to eye

1:03pm Tuesday 7th February 2012 in Letters

Dear Editor, I am particularly grateful to AM Paul Davies for highlighting the discrepancy in opthalmic services in Hywel Dda's area. I was diagnosed with a cataract to my right eye approximately eighteen months ago. I was informed by my optician, and later by my GP,that treatment was unavailable on the NHS in Wales unless I was effectively blind in both eyes; then one eye could be done. However, if I were to pay £1850 I could have the 'simple operation next week'. I booked an appointment with the opthalmic surgeon to discuss the treatment. This discussion cost me £75 plus £30 for the 'hire' of a room at Withybush Hospital for an hour. I am still trying to decide if I should pay to go private. My frustration with Hywel Dda's policy stems from the fact that my sister, in England, had only to wait five weeks to have her cataract treated on the NHS.

For thirty years I served as a pilot in the RAF (20/20 vision!) and for eight of those years flew Seakings from RAF Brawdy and for eight years Wessex and Seakings from RAF Valley, N. Wales. During this time I paid rather a lot in National Insurance Contributions; and I have never had breast implants!

Alan Coy Squadron Leader rtd Fishguard