Wales' first Green Senedd member, Anthony Slaughter, has said he is being treated for cancer. The Caerdydd Penarth representative was elected to the Senedd in May, becoming one of two Green Party Senedd members.
During a Senedd debate on Wednesday (September 24), he spoke about serious surgery he had had over the summer recess. He discussed his own health in a debate he put forward called the "unacceptable pause in scheduled treatment for trans patients".
Debate on paused surgeries
"Over the past few weeks, my emails, like others, have been flooded with messages from people, distraught and disorientated. People who had surgeries cancelled at the eleventh hour with no explanation or option to reschedule," he said.
"Patients, friends and family members desperate for answers as to why this had happened, what went wrong and how could they move forward."
On Friday 28 August, three and a half weeks ago, hundreds of patients had their surgeries and surgical assessments suddenly paused while a clinical review was undertaken into Welsh gender services referrals. Many of these patients found out that their surgery would not be taking place while they were already in hospital.
Personal experience of surgery
"These are people who had spent years preparing, both physically and mentally, for this life-affirming surgery, which is recognised by medical organisations, professionals and NHS providers as being clinically effective at improving health outcomes and quality of life. They had jumped through every hoop asked of them, had arranged and rearranged their lives around this day," he said.
"I listened to people who explained that they were left feeling abandoned, alone and confused, having had the rug pulled from under them at the very last second by the system that is supposed to care for them. Now, I wasn't planning on sharing this."
"However, when listening to the stories from my constituents and others, in my own way, I was able to relate to that agonising wait in the days leading up to planned surgery."
Recovery and statement
"Over recess, I underwent scheduled and serious surgery. Many of you might have noticed that I was somewhat absent over the summer, and the reason for that was I was preparing for surgery, in hospital and then in recovery. Over the summer, I experienced the reality of what prepping for surgery entailed, the physical and mental stress—something so many here will be able to relate to," he said.
"When I walked onto that silent ward at 05:00 in the morning, the wave of emotion I felt is difficult to put into words—the silence of the sleeping ward, the uncertainty, the fear."
A statement was then issued by his party explaining the surgery was in relation to a cancer diagnosis. He said: "The surgery went well, and I am now looking forward to getting back to normal and representing the people of Caerdydd Penarth the best I can".
