Betsi: Dyfed Edwards appointed as north Wales health board Chair
A new chair of the troubled Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board has been appointed.
Dyfed Edwards, who has been in post as interim Chair since February 2023, was formally appointed to the post by Health Minister Eluned Morgan on Tuesday 30 January 2024.
Dyfed, who has leadership experience in the public sector, including the NHS, will take on the role of Chair for a period of four years.
His appointment comes almost 12 months after the health board returned to special measures amid serious concerns over performance, leadership and culture.
Betsi Cadwaladr was first placed in special measures in 2015 until 2020, after the then health minister Vaugahn Gething confirmed that it would instead move to targeted intervention.
However in February 2023 the health board returned to special measures after a damning report from the Auditor General for Wales.
Dyfed said that Betsi Cadwaladr is “starting to see some good progress” and paid tribute to the 19,000 health board staff for their work.
He continued: “It is an honour to be given this opportunity and I will continue to give everything to the job and to serve the Health Board and the people of north Wales.
“Health, and the health and care system touches all our lives at different times and is a key part of the social fabric that sustains our communities in North Wales.
“We know that the Health Board has been underperforming and falling short in terms of delivering world-class public services for our communities but in the last year, I have met many incredible staff and seen some fantastic services.
“I feel privileged to be permanently joining the 19,000 strong team at Betsi and I know that they share mine and the Board’s ambition to make lasting improvements in the health and wellbeing of population of North Wales and in the provision of their healthcare services.
“We are starting to see some good progress and I am looking forward to continuing the journey to building a more effective organisation.”
Health Minister Eluned Morgan said: “Following an open public appointment process and in accordance with the Governance Code on Public Appointments, I am delighted to announce the appointment of a permanent Chair to Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board.
“The Chair of the board is Dyfed Edwards. Dyfed will continue to bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to the board and will continue to build upon the excellent foundations he has put in place over the last 11 months.
“Recruitment is underway for a further four independent members, these appointments will be announced in February. The full complement of board members will ensure the board has the appropriate skills and expertise to lead the organisation through Special Measures.
However the Welsh Conservatives have warned that the Chair of the health board is facing a huge responsibility.
Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for North Wales, Darren Millar MS said: “The Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board is nearing yet another anniversary in special measures, but patients and staff are yet to see the improvements they have been promised by Labour Ministers.
“The Chair of the Health Board is a key appointment with huge responsibility, so I wish Dyfed Edwards well in his role and look forward to continuing to engage with him as he seeks to address the serious failings in the NHS in North Wales.”
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