A FAILING health board has been placed into special measures by the Welsh Government.

Health Minister Mark Drakeford confirmed the action taken against Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) yesterday afternoon.

The move follows damning reports into failings of health care in North Wales including the Ockenden report into the treatment of patients on the Tawel Fan psychiatric ward.

Following concerns raised, the chief executive of NHS Wales, Dr Andrew Goodall, brought forward a meeting between the Welsh Government, the Wales Audit Office and Health Inspectorate Wales to consider the health board’s current status.

The meeting concluded the board should be placed in special measures.

The Minister accepted their advice and the health board chairman, has been informed of the minister’s decision.

Prof Drakeford said: “As a result of the meeting earlier today between the Welsh Government and regulators, I can confirm Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board is being placed in special measures.

“This significant decision... reflects serious and outstanding concerns about the leadership, governance and progress in the health board over some time.”

Prof Drakeford added: “A thorough and balanced assessment has taken place on areas of concern that will form the basis of actions to be taken as a result of special measures.

“While the special measures apply to the health board, I want to reassure patients and communities served by the health board and staff working for it that day-to-day services and activities will continue as normal.”

Further actions and interventions as part of the special measures will be considered by the Welsh Government, with advice and support from regulators.

The Health Minister will make an oral statement to the Assembly today.


THE Welsh Government’s Communities Minister, Wrexham AM Lesley Griffiths, said the health board “must be held to account”. 

“Failings at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd’s Tawel Fan ward were shocking and it is incomprehensible patients have been treated in this manner.

“Those responsible in the health board must... face disciplinary action.

“After meeting with Health Minister Mark Drakeford AM last week, I’m pleased the Welsh Government has acted accordingly and effectively.

“The serious nature of this incident has resulted in major, decisive action taking place and this now provides the opportunity to resolve outstanding issues.”

But Ms Griffiths added: “This announcement should not take anything away from the excellent frontline NHS staff who work tirelessly under pressurised circumstances to deliver the best possible care for people across Wales.

“Constituents I speak to always praise the dedicated staff and I recently visited Wrexham Maelor Hospital to meet with workers and witness first-hand the excellent care that takes place.”

Aled Roberts, AM for North Wales, and former leader of Wrexham Council, said the health board was in “desperate need of help”.

“We need a health board that has the faith of the people of North Wales - that simply is not the case at the moment.

“Changes are desperately needed and they are needed urgently.

“It was clear that neither enhanced monitoring nor targeted intervention was making the difference – that is why this decision is necessary.

“We are now in uncharted waters.

“The Health Minister must immediately set out in detail what this decision will actually mean in practice and what it will mean for patients.”

Marc Jones, of North Wales Health Alliance (NWHA), said the decision was “too little and too late”.

“The NWHA doesn’t believe that we simply need a change of personnel at the top of the board, we need a change of plan.

“Centralising services, especially community care, doesn't work and we’re about to embark on yet more changes.

“Frontline staff are overstretched and management seem out of touch with their experiences.

“Schools and councils in crisis have seen interventions that have turned around failing institutions. 

“We hope special measures for this health board will achieve the same.”

Darren Millar AM, Shadow Health Minister, said: “The move is long overdue.

“Placing the health board in special measures is the first step to turning the organisation into an effective provider of first class health care where patient safety comes first.”

Llyr Gruffydd, Plaid Cymru AM for North Wales, added: “There has been a failure of political leadership regarding Betsi Cadwaladr for some years now.

“The catalogue of problems – including maternity services being moved without consultation, C-Difficile outbreaks, community hospitals closed against clinical advice – stems from a failure to listen to clinical experts and the general public.

“Apologies mean nothing without a change of direction and we’re not seeing that with this health board.

“There are more significant changes in healthcare delivery on the way and the lack of confidence people have in the board mean that this change is destabilising.”