Welsh government: Three health boards under increased scrutiny
- Published
Health Minister Eluned Morgan says the move is not a punishment, but will help improve the Welsh NHS
Three health boards are being put under increased Welsh government scrutiny.
Aneurin Bevan, Swansea Bay and Hywel Dda all face extra intervention.
Health Minister Eluned Morgan said it was not a "punishment" but "a recognition" that working "collectively" could "make things better".
The Conservatives said it was "eye-brow raising" while Plaid Cymru said it "begs the question" of how much control the Welsh government has over the NHS.
Speaking in the Senedd, Ms Morgan said the NHS was "under intense pressure" but it was her job to make sure that it "delivers the best possible care".
She added that, although she delegated that responsibility to health boards, sometimes she had to make "serious decisions about whether NHS organisations need additional support and oversight".
The minister announced there would be a new level of intervention for health boards called "areas of concern".
It means there are now five levels - routine arrangements, areas of concern, enhanced monitoring, target intervention and the highest level, special measures.
The minister said she would be placing the entire Hywel Dda University Health Board in west and mid Wales into targeted intervention because financial and planning "challenges" were impacting on its performance.
On Swansea Bay University Health Board, the minister said she would be "increasing the escalation level…to targeted intervention for performance and outcomes".
There were now be five levels in the Welsh government's monitoring of health boards
At the Aneurin Bevan Health Board in Gwent, she said she was "particularly concerned" about the emergency department at the Grange University hospital in Cwmbran and would be escalating intervention to enhanced monitoring for performance and outcomes related to emergency pathways there.
She added that no changes would be made to the escalation levels of the other four health boards.
This means Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board in north Wales remains in special measures and Cardiff and Vale Health Board remains in enhanced monitoring for planning and finance, as does Powys and Cwm Taf Morgannwg.
Cwm Taf Morgannwg also remain in targeted intervention for performance.
Welsh Conservatives spokesperson Russell George said: "The escalation arrangements announced today are eyebrow-raising to say the least and show that our Welsh NHS is in a very sobering state."
Sioned Williams of Plaid Cymru said she was "shocked but not surprised" at the announcement.
"The issue here is whether this monitoring framework is fit for purpose to ensure the improvements needed," she added.
The Welsh government said health services were "under enormous pressure" and the decisions taken would "further support health boards... during a difficult and challenging time".
- Published6 November 2023
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