Betsi Cadwaladr health chief had to go, watchdog says

Removing the chief executive of a troubled health board was the right thing to do, the head of a patients' watchdog has said.

Prof Trevor Purt has been suspended from his role at Betsi Cadwaladr following a decision by Health Minister Mark Drakeford to put the board into special measures.

Board chairman Peter Higson said the suspension was a "neutral act" while arrangements for the future running of health services across north Wales were sorted out.

It follows a damning report about treatment on the Tawel Fan mental health ward at Glan Clwyd Hospital.

But Geoff Ryall-Harvey, chief executive of the region's community health council, said there had been a string of problems under Mr Purt's leadership.