Welsh Government rejects Reform’s call for English takeover of struggling Betsi Cadwaladr

Reform UK Wales have called for the drastic measure of appointing an English team to take over Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board as it continues to struggle in special measures.

But the Plaid Cymru-led Welsh Government has rejected the proposal out-of-hand as it continues to seek a solution to the health board’s woes.

Reform UK Wales MS Nigel Williams – representing Fflint Wrecsam – asked Senedd health minister and Gwynedd Maldwyn MS Mabon ap Gwynfor whether it was time to take extreme measures and put BCUHB under the control of a non-Welsh health board.

“You mentioned that all options are open,” he said. “Would you actually consider a takeover by a health board from outside of Wales?”
Mr ap Gwynfor swiftly dismissed the idea.

“No, I will not even countenance the idea of allowing a health board from outside of Wales to take over Betsi Cadwaladr, because they work to different rules and regulations,” he said.

“We’ve got devolution here. We’ve got our own pieces of legislation. The health board answers to this Senedd, to you, the people elected by the people of Wales.”

During the same debate he revealed he had put together an intensive support, recovery and turnaround team to take a hands-on approach to finally bringing BCUHB out of special measures and planned to launch a well-led review, led by a panel of health experts.

Now Reform UK Wales’ Shadow Counsel General Adrian Mason MS – who represents Clwyd – has doubled-down, urging the Welsh Government to seek outside help to speed up the process.

“Nothing about Betsi Cadwaladr’s performance is acceptable,” he said.

“Patients across North Wales have waited far too long for safe, timely and dependable healthcare, while dedicated frontline staff have been repeatedly let down by failures of leadership and governance.

“Nigel Williams MS was right to test the Minister’s claim that every option remained open.

“Devolution must never become an excuse for being insular. Mabon ap Gwynfor should bring in the very best clinical, operational and turnaround expertise available – from Wales, England, Scotland or Northern Ireland.

“Patients will not care where that expertise comes from – they care whether it saves lives and improves treatment.

“The United Kingdom is at its strongest when knowledge, experience and resources are shared. UK-wide cooperation does not weaken accountability in Wales – it should help Welsh Ministers deliver the services for which they are responsible.

“The Minister must publish the membership and terms of reference of his expert panel, establish measurable monthly targets for cancer treatment, ambulance handovers and long waits and state clearly what further intervention will follow if those targets are missed.

“Patients need a successful turnaround, not a constitutional bidding war. Bring in the best expertise from across the United Kingdom, keep accountability firmly with the Welsh Government, and judge the Minister on delivery.”

One of the names in the frame for Mr ap Gwynfor’s well-led expert panel is respected NHS troubleshooter Donna Ockenden.

The senior midwife has previously worked to resolve specific issues facing the North Wales health board and recently completed an inquiry into the Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust that identified systemic failings in its maternity department going beck 16 years.

But Mr ap Gwynfor warned Senedd members she may not have the capacity to join the panel.

Conservative leader Darren Millar MS initially raised the prospect of Ms Ockenden being recruited to the panel.

“Are we going to involve Donna Ockenden in this work,” said Mr Millar. “There was a high level of confidence in Donna with the two reviews she’s already undertaken in North Wales and, very clearly, she has the expertise, she’s used it elsewhere across the UK to help turnaround.”

In response Mr Ap Gwynfor said he would be keen to get her involved – although it might not be possible.

“Donna has done a number of tremendous pieces of work here in Wales,” he said. In Betsi Cadwaladr, she looked at the Tawel Fan issue. Absolutely, I value the work that she’s done, and I will put her name forward to my officials to consider as part of the expert panel.

“I seriously can’t promise that she will accept or she’s even available, because you’ll know that she’s extremely busy at the moment.”

By Alec Doyle – Local Democracy Reporter