Following the publication of a damning report highlighting failings in Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board’s vascular surgery provision (https://bcuhb.nhs.wales/news/updates-and-developments/updates/vascular-…), Vale of Clwyd MP James Davies has met and spoken at length with the Chief Executive of the Health Board, Jo Whitehead, to discuss the grave concerns raised in the report. He welcomes the early publication of the report and the tough stance the CEO has vowed to take to address its findings.
James has described the conclusions in the report from the Royal College of Surgeons of England (RCS), which was published last Thursday (February 3rd), as “deplorable” and has criticised the Labour Welsh Government for overseeing such a lengthy and continued decline of health services in North Wales.
The report reviewed 44 sets of case notes and found deficiencies in care, record keeping, consent-taking and follow-up in a number of the cases examined.
Commenting, James said:
“The findings of this report are deplorable, and sadly reflect systemic failings within the NHS in North Wales. It is an irony that the majority of concerns relate to a period when the Health Board was in special measures, and therefore under direct control of the Labour Welsh Government.
“I have met and spoken at length with the Chief Executive of the health board following the publication of last week’s report. I welcome her open and honest approach in releasing the report into the public domain so rapidly. This is a refreshing change which, to me, indicates a senior Health Board management that finally means business when it comes to addressing failings within the organisation. However, nobody should be under any illusions over the enormous task ahead of them.
“Patients in North Wales have lost patience and faith in the ability of the Welsh Government to ensure that local access to NHS services, clinical outcomes and patient safety match those of the rest of the UK. I am determined to continue to strive for an NHS in North Wales that people can depend on and that hard-working NHS staff are so desperate to be a part of.”
