Posted: Tue 24th Nov 2020

Betsi Cadwaladr taken out of Special Measures confirms Health Minister

News and Info from Deeside, Flintshire, North Wales
This article is old - Published: Tuesday, Nov 24th, 2020

Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board has been taken out of Special Measures “with immediate effect” health minister Vaughan Gething has confirmed.

In a statement to the Welsh parliament this afternoon, Mr Gething said

“I have decided that Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board will come out of special measures and move into targeted intervention. My decision is informed by the advice I received following a meeting between the Chief Exec of NHS Wales, Healthcare Inspectorate Wales and Audit Wales.”

“We have seen improvements across the health board and have greater confidence that it will make further progress. Throughout the pandemic the organisation has worked hard to play its role in caring for people affected by the virus. During what has been an unsettling time for public health across the world, I’m pleased to announce this positive news for North Wales and NHS Wales.”

“I want to thank everyone at the health board who has contributed to improving services.  The progress has only been made because of the commitment and hard work of our staff.”

“Whilst there has been improvement, there are still areas of concern such as mental health and the health board fully recognises there is still further work to do. Targeted intervention is still a heightened level of escalation that requires significant action on the part of the health board.”

“The Welsh Government has committed a further £82m per year over three-and-a-half years to support the health board as it enters a new phase under targeted intervention and continues its ongoing work to improve.”

“This substantial investment will be used to improve unscheduled care; build sustainable planned care, including orthopaedics; and deliver improvements in mental health services.”

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board Chairman Mark Polin and Acting Chief Executive Gill Harris said in a joint statement:

“We welcome this significant announcement and continued support from Welsh Government.  We are encouraged by the growing confidence in our plans to make strategic longer term improvements while acknowledging that there is much more to do.”

“The package of support recently announced by Welsh Government will help us to build on work to develop transformational and sustainable solutions to long term challenges in unscheduled care, diagnostics, planned care and mental health services.”

“We are confident that our ambitious plans for the future will improve patient experience and waiting times. These include the establishment of Diagnostic and Treatment Centres and driving forward the business case for a North Wales Medical and Health Science School.”

“We are hugely proud that colleagues across the organisation have risen to the challenge of COVID-19 and have displayed positivity, resilience and a commitment to patients in the most difficult of circumstances. We thank them for everything they have done to care for patients and keep our communities safe.”

“There is a lot more work ahead but we are confident that with the support of our staff, partners, and public, the much-needed transformation of health services across North Wales will be achieved.”

In a joint statement from Welsh Labour elected members including Deeside politicians Jack Sargeant and Mark Tami MP says:
“Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, NHS staff in North Wales have worked heroically to help protect people.
“Today’s welcome news that BCUHB has come out of special measures is recognition of how the health board has managed the pandemic and implemented significant improvements.
“The work of improving health services in North Wales will continue and today’s announcement will provide very welcome assurance to patients and staff that Betsi Cadwaladr is heading in the right direction.”

Welsh Conservative health spokesperson, Andrew RT Davies MS said: “After five years of special measures – the longest of any health organisation in the UK – any genuine progress at Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board would have to be welcomed.

 “Staff and volunteers have gone above and beyond to deliver health services to the people of North Wales that they deserve, especially during Covid-19. Their dedicated and hard-work needs to be commended.

“However, concerns over governance and delivery of services for the people of North Wales are as pertinent today as when the health board entered special measures under the stewardship of this health minister in 2015.

“Let’s ask the most important question about this decision: what has happened since last month to so radically improve things at the board?

“This question must be asked, because on October 7, just six weeks ago, the Health Minister said:

However, there remained concerns on performance and strategic solutions that may require specific external support.  Specifically, the group wanted some further assurance from the health board in respect of progress in mental health services.”

“I’ve heard of miraculous recoveries, but not like this, not when services have been so bad for so long.

“We do hope this is not a cynical electoral ploy ahead of May’s Senedd elections, and marks a genuine first step to turning the organisation into an effective provider of first class health care, where patient safety and delivery of quality services in North Wales comes first.”

Plaid Cymru’s Llyr Gruffydd said: “Betsi Cadwaladr health board was placed under special measures five-and-a-half years ago due, in part, to failings in mental health and management.

“Just six weeks ago, the health secretary said ‘further assurances’ were needed on mental health services – has he now had those assurances and can he share what improvements have been made?

“I have to say that, in light of ongoing problems and the failure to resolve long-standing scandals involving mental health provision, I remain unconvinced that there have been sufficient improvements to come out of special measures.

“This smacks more of a political stunt so that this Labour Government can say it has improved health services in the North when it’s clear that the health board has not made significant strides under its direct rule as a result of special measures.”

Betsi Cadwaladr became the first health board to be taken into the direct control of Welsh Government via Special Measures inn the summer of 2015,

When the board entered Special Measures, the then health minister Professor Mark Drakeford said it needed to improve:

Governance, leadership and oversight, Mental health services, Maternity services at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd and GP and primary care services, including out-of-hours services.

The health board was put into Special Measures following a damning report into events within Tawel Fan mental health ward, at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd.

Betsi Cadwaladr was already under threat of Special Measures after being placed under “targeted intervention” in March 2014 – effectively a warning to put its house in order.

Spotted something? Got a story? Send a Facebook Message | A direct message on Twitter | Email: News@Deeside.com
Latest News

  • What will the weather look like over Easter?
  • Man sentenced for two counts of rape which took place in Chester 20 years ago
  • North Wales’ NHS service ‘nowhere near good enough’ admits Betsi boss

  • More...

    What will the weather look like over Easter?

    News

    Man sentenced for two counts of rape which took place in Chester 20 years ago

    News

    North Wales’ NHS service ‘nowhere near good enough’ admits Betsi boss

    News

    Chester Zoo reintroduces one of world’s rarest plants into mystery Welsh location to help save it from extinction

    News

    Operation Darwin: Campaign aimed at reducing risk of motorcycle-related deaths launched in North Wales

    News

    Man who raped a teenager at a campsite near Chester jailed.

    News

    DECA Sealand industrial action ends after union secures improved pay deal.

    News

    MPs’ call for ‘modest’ increase in statutory sick pay

    News

    10m homes should read their energy meter this weekend

    News