Vaughan Gething: My officials will be receiving regular updates on the staffing situation. They will be visiting this week, and have a regular presence, going forward. My officials have also kept Healthcare Inspectorate Wales fully briefed, so that that they can determine what action they may wish to take. A number of systems have been set up to support patient safety. This includes a 24/7 on-call rota for...
Vaughan Gething: I thank the Member for her comments and questions, and, of course, I'm sorry for any family who suffers the loss of a baby or a young child. I would not want any family to feel the way that you described. Now, I can't, obviously, comment on the individual circumstances, but I do want to be clear that part of the point of this review is to try to learn what has happened. We're now looking at...
Vaughan Gething: Thank you for the series of questions. In terms of the support being provided to the health board, I outlined that in my statement. My officials and the delivery unit are providing support and challenge in addition to the co-opting of senior leadership support from experienced midwives in neighbouring health boards, and in addition, of course, to the steps that the health board themselves...
Vaughan Gething: Yes. I particularly welcome your point about not trying to overly sensationalise what has happened, and, equally, that's at the same time as not trying to downplay the seriousness of the concern that exists as well. It is entirely possible to recognise the serious situation, with 44 cases being reviewed—it was 43, but we've identified literally very recently a further case that should be...
Vaughan Gething: Thank you for those, broadly, three questions. On the first point, I'm not aware that the proposed merger has had any impact on the delivery of services; it's not been a point that's been raised by anybody with concerns that, somehow, that's a factor in the quality of care and in this cluster of cases of concern. The serious incident reporting is what's led to us looking again at the cluster...
Vaughan Gething: Well, the first part of your question I thought was entirely reasonable, to ask again about staff shortages, and that is part of the review that's been commissioned. The health board themselves have recognised that staff shortages may have had a part to play in the failure to report promptly some of these matters. The point about the independent review is to understand properly and in a...
Vaughan Gething: Thank you for the comments. Of course, these—. I politely disagree with him about the first point that the structural change is what's highlighted the anomalies. It was actually a new head of midwifery services coming in and doing what she should have done in reviewing the position and looking at the cluster of cases and recognising that those matters needed to be escalated. So, actually,...
Vaughan Gething: Yes. I'm happy to come in on the two points. The broader point about the quality of midwifery services and maternity services more generally: my understanding is, and the assurance that I've initially had from officials is, that women should continue to have confidence in the quality and compassion of midwifery-led care and broader maternity services within Cwm Taf. I've committed to making...
Vaughan Gething: The health board’s performance is now improving in a number of areas. The number of people currently waiting over 36 weeks is 23 per cent lower than last year and we expect to see further improvements in future months. Progress has also been made on diagnostic, therapy and cancer waits.
Vaughan Gething: I have made it clear to the health board that I expect to see improvements in all waiting times, including for knee and hip replacements. My officials continue to work alongside the health board as they develop their orthopaedic plan.
Vaughan Gething: We take women’s health, including menopausal concerns, very seriously and expect all health boards to provide a full range of services to women experiencing the menopause in accordance with National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidance.
Vaughan Gething: Officials have received the health board’s integrated winter delivery plan and provided feedback to inform further enhancement of its plan. Officials will continue to work alongside the health board to help it understand the demand and capacity required to meet the needs of its population and identify opportunities for national and local support, as required.
Vaughan Gething: The Welsh Government expects all health boards to provide safe, timely, high-quality termination of pregnancy services for women living in their areas.
Vaughan Gething: The 'Putting Things Right' complaints procedure was independently reviewed by Keith Evans in 2014. He concluded the process had a good overall approach but made recommendations for further improvements. The vast majority of these have been implemented and benefits felt by patients. There are no plans for a further review.
Vaughan Gething: Construction on the Grange hospital site commenced on 30 October 2017 and it is due to open in the spring of 2021.
Vaughan Gething: Thank you. I've set out clear expectations for the health board to meet to be considered for de-escalation in the special measures improvement framework. I will make an oral statement on Betsi Cadwaladr University Local Health Board’s progress on 6 November.
Vaughan Gething: It's a question that Members will continue to ask until we see real and lasting improvement in the delivery of the areas that are in special measures. We've seen progress on maternity. We have not seen adequate progress on mental health. We've some progress on out-of-hours. We've seen some progress on leadership. Mental health has always been the most challenging area of activity, and so...
Vaughan Gething: Well, as Members will know from our regular outings in the Chamber, in statements, in debates and, indeed, in questions that I receive every three weeks, there is regular and direct accountability. I answer questions and I'm held to account on a regular basis. As far as Betsi Cadwaladr is concerned, there is a new improvement framework, with improvements to be made, and I expect to be held to...
Vaughan Gething: Thank you for the question. We have actually seen significant progress made on reducing delayed transfers of care right across our health service, including within north Wales. I and the Minister look at the figures every single month and where there is a falling back between health boards we absolutely make sure that action is taken and questions are asked. So, there's no lack of oversight...
Vaughan Gething: Thank you for the question. Neither I, nor my officials, have had any formal discussions with Vertex about Orkambi. I have, though, reminded Vertex that a medicine must be appraised and recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence or the All Wales Medicines Strategy Group before it can be routinely provided by NHS Wales. It is Vertex's responsibility to comply with the...
