PRESS RELEASE : Welsh Conservative comment on health board interventions [November 2022]

The press release issued by the Welsh Conservatives on 14 November 2022.

Labour’s health minister has escalated the levels of government intervention in Cwm Taf Morgannwg Health Board.

In a written statement, Baroness Morgan decided to keep quality governance at targeted intervention levels, but escalate quality related to performance and long waiting times to targeted intervention, and raise planning and finance to enhanced monitoring.

Commenting, Welsh Conservative Shadow Health Minister Russell George MS said:

“It is a shame that after recent progress on de-escalating maternity services from special measures, it has become apparent that in chasing one result, the minister has taken her foot of the pedal and seen things get worse in other parts of Cwm Taf Morgannwg health board.

“Everyone should be concerned that the government are directly intervening because of quality performance and long waiting times because this has very real consequences for patient safety and staff well-being.

“Sadly, the issues facing the NHS are Wales-wide, with most health boards in some state of intervention, record-long waiting lists, the slowest ever ambulance response times, and Britain’s worst A&E waits.

“What we need more than just action is explanation for why this is the case – otherwise, Labour will never get a grip on the NHS and stop breaking all the wrong records.”

She also confirmed North Wales’ health board will remain at targeted intervention to incorporate Ysbyty Glan Clwyd, focusing on the vascular service and emergency department, stating “it is clear there are still a number of serious challenges the health board needs to overcome”.