Leadership failures to blame for health board intervention

Three health boards in Wales have been placed under an increased level of scrutiny and control by the Welsh Labour Government due to doubts about their ability to tackle their challenges.

The health boards in question are Abertawe Bro Morgannwg (ABMU), Cardiff & Vale UHB, and Hywel Dda.

At ABMU, intervention is as a result of “continuing challenges” in unscheduled care and cancer services. Cardiff & Vale faced action due to a lack of government confidence that they have a “deliverable and affordable” plan. Whilst Hywel Dda received notice of intervention due to a number of “longstanding challenges”.

Commenting on the announcement Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Health, Angela Burns, said:

“Today’s news will be worrying for hundreds of thousands of patients who rely upon these health boards, and reflects serious concerns over the ability of these organisations to be safe and effective providers of care.

“It’s simply not good enough. Targeted intervention is a significant step for the Welsh Government to take, and it demonstrates a lack of confidence that swift improvements can be made.

“As the cabinet secretary himself acknowledges, these are longstanding concerns, and the Welsh Labour Government has been in charge of the Welsh NHS for seventeen years now.

“Patients in Wales have been let down by failures in leadership and the Welsh Labour Government must ensure that resources are available to turn this situation around.”