WALES' Health Minister has provided an update on the ongoings at Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board, five months after putting it into special measures. 

On February 27, Eluned Morgan MS, placed BCUHB back into special measures following 'serious concerns' about the way the health board was being run.

The Health Minister referenced concerns over board effectiveness, organisational culture, service quality and reconfiguration, governance, patient safety, operational delivery, leadership and financial management.

It was the second time Betsi has been placed in special measures, and it led to the board 'stepping aside. 

Today (July 7) Ms Morgan published a number of documents detailing the three-month cycle between March to May.

North Wales Pioneer: Eluned MorganEluned Morgan

She said: "The Special Measures framework clearly sets out the reasons for the escalation of the health board and the areas where improvements need to be made. This will guide the Special Measures intervention for the rest of 2023.  It will be refreshed in January 2024 following an assessment of progress.

"Placing a health board into Special Measures does not mean the Welsh Government takes over the day-to-day running of the health board. That remains the responsibility of the board.

"I have appointed a new interim chair and independent members to work with the existing executive directors to form a new board. The Welsh Government’s role is to ensure the health board is properly led and governed, to provide continued oversight, and to ensure the required improvements are being made in the specific areas identified."

Some of the improvements noted by Ms Morgan in her reports included: 

  • Creation of a new board, including a new interim chair and six independent members working with the executive directors on developing as an integrated board.
  • Occupational therapists in Flintshire and Wrexham are working from GP practices, reducing the waiting time by an average of nine weeks.  
  • Three new specialist nurses have been appointed as the health board’s first metastatic clinical nurse specialists – supporting people with incurable secondary breast and colorectal cancer.
  • A new stroke rehabilitation centre has opened in Deeside Community Hospital as part of a £3m programme to improve stroke care in north Wales. 
  • The NHS 111 press 2 service for mental health is now available 24/7 in North Wales.
  • Between the end of January 2023 and April 2023, there has been a 37% reduction in the number of open pathways waiting over 52 weeks for a first outpatient appointment.

The Health Minister said that she wants to see improvements in the vascular services, and that she still has concerns despite it being de-escalated following a recent report. 

She added: "It has been a challenging three months; however, it is important to reflect on the good work being done across the organisation. 

"There are thousands of staff who live and work in North Wales, and who are committed to delivering the best possible patient care. We must give them the space and opportunity to do their jobs.

"There are still improvements to be made, but these are encouraging signs for people living in north Wales. I will provide a further report on progress during the second three-month phase in the Autumn, and I will continue to update Members as the work progresses."