Eye operation delay ends in celebration

AN Amman Valley woman who feared she would go blind due to delays over a cataract operation is back behind the wheel of her car.

Glenys Thomas, 63, had the operation a year to the day after being first referred to Hywel Dda Health Board by her doctor.

Mrs Thomas — who was made an MBE in 2010 after organising the Cwmaman Meals on Wheels service for 20 years — said she was delighted to get her independence back.

Last year she told the Post how she feared she would go blind.

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After months of waiting she lodged a complaint with the health board and finally had the operation in January.

Mrs Thomas, of Garnant, said: "I am just relieved that I have had it. I stopped myself driving last year because my eye was getting worse as the time went on.

"I thought I would go blind before any operation date.

"Normally, the wait is 26 weeks but I ended up waiting 52 weeks. It's water under the bridge now, the staff and nurses were great and I am now back to living life to the full and driving again.

"I can read properly again and have my independence back." Hywel Dda Health Board chief executive Trevor Purt wrote to Mrs Thomas of New School Road apologising and said she had been removed from the waiting list due to "human error".

In the letter Mr Purt wrote: "It is now apparent that you clearly followed the correct procedure and contacted the hospital to inform us that you wished to remain on the waiting list.

"Unfortunately, due to human error, the member of staff who received the call did not put the appropriate information on the administration system and you were removed from the waiting list.

"Fortunately, through further communication from yourself, the error was rectified, and you were given an appointment.

"I can confirm that your appointment was not delayed due to the error.

"I fully appreciate that you have experienced some inconvenience and I can only apologise for this."