Troubled health board overpays top official again

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board has overpaid two board members in as many years

A health board under special measures has overpaid an executive board member for the second successive year.

According to an Audit Wales report, "irregular payments" totalling £39,259.62 were made to Steve Webster, an interim executive finance director at Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board last year.

The health board said "real progress has been made since these events", with a "renewed concentration" on managing its finances.

Last year, Gaynor Thomason earned more than three times the maximum allowed for her role as interim director of nursing and midwifery at the board.

Ms Thomason said she had done nothing wrong and was unaware of Welsh government rules related to executive pay.

Less than a year after this overpayment, Mr Webster was also overpaid.

He earned more than £135,000 as interim executive finance director at the board for six months of work last year, between 3 January and 22 June.

Welsh government rules state the maximum salary for such a position is £170,919.

Audit Wales said Mr Webster's wage equated to £292,236 a year, and almost £40,000 he received was therefore "irregular".

Mr Webster has been contacted for comment. There is no suggestion he has done anything wrong as he did not set his remuneration.

In February 2023, Eluned Morgan, who was then health secretary and is now first minister, placed the health board back under special measures.

On 20 June 20 2023 a report commissioned by the Welsh government noted levels of interim executives at Betsi Cadwaladr were "excessive and unsustainable".

It also noted there were "weak controls over senior interim appointments within BCUHB" and that controls had been "poorly enforced and non-compliance/over-ride has occurred frequently."

Two days after the report's publication, Mr Webster left the board.

Eluned Morgan and her predecessor as first minister Mark Drakeford - who is currently health secretary - have been contacted.

A Welsh government spokesperson said this was a matter for the health board.

Plaid Cymru health spokesperson Mabon ap Gwynfor said it was angering "to hear this has happened for a second successive year, when community health projects in the Betsi Cadwaladr health board area are being curtailed".

"There are serious questions being asked about the way the health board are looking after their finances and the way the government in Cardiff Bay are overseeing their work - and failing to do so."

Conservative MS Darren Millar said: "The Welsh government must act now to get to grips with this situation. We need an independent inquiry as soon as possible."

No health board representatives were available for interview.

In a statement, Dyfed Edwards, who was appointed interim chair of the health board in February last year and is now in the post permanently said: "In the report commissioned by the Welsh Government, which you quote, the author notes: ‘The scope for any rapid reduction in the number of interims within the BCUHB executive team is limited, due to a range of complex individual circumstances.'

"However, it is apparent to me that both the interim chair and interim chief executive intend to do all that they can to address and resolve these challenges as swiftly as possible.'

"It was reported to board earlier this year how there had been an 82% reduction in spending on interim appointments."

"The independent board members will continue to hold executives to account over public finances. The board notes the real progress made since these events, which took place substantively in the financial years 2021-22 and 2022-23."