Welsh Conservatives table no confidence motion in Health Minister Eluned Morgan

The Welsh Conservatives have tabled a motion of no confidence in Health Minister Eluned Morgan that will be debated in the Welsh Parliament today, Wednesday, 22nd March.

The motion comes amid growing criticism of the minister’s handling of failings at the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board and the return to special measures.

Opposition politicians say the north Wales health board should never have been taken out of special measures saying the move was political.

When BCUHB was put back into special measures eleven independent members of the Board resigned, saying “We have no confidence in the Welsh Government’s grasp of the situation.” ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Allegations were made that the Health Minister told the independent board members “they had 50 minutes to resign or she’d sack them, and in so doing bar them from other public appointments for two years.” ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Ms Morgan’s decision to dismiss board members was criticised by many, who argue that the move targets the wrong individuals. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Commenting on the no confidence motion, Welsh Conservative Shadow Health Minister, Russell George MS, said: “During the pandemic the Welsh Government said it was ‘foolish’ to plan for the return of routine services post-Covid.”

“Sadly, the Health Minister has continued this approach and whilst other parts of the UK have abolished two years waits for treatment, over 45,000 people in Wales are continuing to wait in pain for years.”

“They deserve answers for why they have been abandoned by the Labour Government that is meant to serve them.”

“But this isn’t just about the current incumbent. For twenty-five years the Labour Government in Cardiff has been running the Welsh NHS, the problems around recruitment and retention of doctors and nurses falls at the feet of her predecessors, including the First Minister.”

Referring to the handling of the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for North Wales, Darren Millar MS, added:

“The failure to get to grips with the issues at the Betsi Cadwaladr Heath Board has been scandalous, yet those responsible are still at the helm.

“Patients and frontline staff in North Wales have been let down by Labour for far too long.

“Patients have died and come to harm, staff have been bullied and are burnt out, yet those responsible are still in post.

“We need a health service in Wales where people are held to account where things go wrong and that starts with the Health Minister.

“The Minister refused to intervene when called upon to do so last year and services have deteriorated further as a result. She is now trying to dodge responsibility for what has happened on her watch.

“Enough is enough; the Health Minister must go.”

Eluned Morgan had previously insisted that she would remain in post “as long as the First Minister had confidence” in her. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​