Concerns have been raised in the Senedd over the lack of locally available PET scan services in North Wales, with patients continuing to face long journeys to England or South Wales for vital diagnostic tests.

Janet Finch-Saunders MS, the Senedd Member for Aberconwy, pressed First Minister Eluned Morgan on the issue during First Minister’s Questions, highlighting the impact on constituents who are being forced to travel significant distances for scans that are often critical in diagnosing and monitoring cancer.

At present, many patients in North Wales fall under the care of Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board but must travel to centres in Liverpool or, in some cases, Cardiff to undergo PET (positron emission tomography) scans. These scans are commonly used to detect cancer, assess how far it has spread, and monitor how well treatment is working.

For patients already dealing with serious illness, the journeys can be exhausting and distressing. Elderly patients, those undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy, and families providing support often face additional costs, time pressures and emotional strain as a result of travelling long distances for appointments.

Ms Finch-Saunders said the issue has been repeatedly raised with her by constituents and has also been discussed with the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Jeremy Miles. She told the Senedd that geography should not be a barrier to accessing modern diagnostic services.

“It is vital that progress on the new facility is prioritised and delivered as soon as possible,” she said. “North Wales patients deserve fair access to modern diagnostic services such as PET scans, and geography should not determine the quality or accessibility of healthcare.”

The Welsh Government has confirmed it is developing a new nuclear medicine centre that will include NHS-delivered PET scan services within the Betsi Cadwaladr area. The announcement has been welcomed as a recognition of the long-standing diagnostic gap in North Wales, where access to specialist imaging has lagged behind other parts of Wales.

However, questions remain about timescales and delivery, with no confirmed date yet for when the new service will become operational. Until then, patients are expected to continue travelling out of the region for scans.

Health experts have previously warned that timely access to diagnostic imaging is crucial for improving cancer outcomes, with early diagnosis often linked to better survival rates. In rural areas such as North Wales, distance to specialist services is already a known challenge, particularly for patients without easy access to transport.

Ms Finch-Saunders has called for interim measures to be explored while the new centre is developed, to reduce travel burdens and support patients during treatment.

The Welsh Government says improving diagnostic capacity is a priority as part of wider efforts to modernise NHS services and reduce waiting times. For many patients in North Wales, however, campaigners say progress on PET scan provision cannot come soon enough.