Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, the largest health organisation in Wales and which is responsible for the delivery of health care services across six counties in North Wales, has been placed under “special measures” for the second time in recent history.
Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board is responsible for the provision of NHS care and health services in Anglesey, Gwynedd, Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire and Wrexham, which includes hospitals such as Ysbyty Gwynedd, Glan Clwyd and the Wrexham Maelor hospital.
Following a report published by Audit Wales, which identified the need for urgent action to improve working relationships within Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, Health and Social Services Minister of Wales, Baroness Eluned Morgan, made the decision to place it back into special measures.
The Board of Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board has also agreed to step down following the publication of the report.
Baroness Morgan advised she had “serious concerns” regarding the performance of Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board which had not improved to the standard expected for the people of North Wales.
She added the decision reflected “…serious concerns about the performance of the organisation, about its governance, and issues with leadership and culture that are holding back progress…”
The special measures will involve increased intervention and support from the Welsh government, including developing an improvement plan and creating a Health Board turnaround team.
Obviously, time will tell whether this action is successful; however, with long-time concerns over the performance of Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, patient safety is a major concern for those relying on those services in North Wales.
Graystons Solicitors provides legal advice and support for individuals affected by medical negligence in both England and Wales. Due to its specialist expertise within all areas of medical negligence and its proximity to the Wales-England border, we regularly take instructions from individuals who have received substandard medical treatment from hospitals for which Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board is responsible for.
If you have any concerns about treatment you have been provided with, please contact us via our contact form or call us directly on 0151 645 0055.