Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. I want to update Members today on the progress that Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board has made to address the issues that led it to be placed in special measures in 2015. Together with my officials and the health board, I remain focused on the work to secure ongoing sustainable improvements.

The heath board has recently submitted a comprehensive and balanced account of progress during the period of special measures escalation. This shows genuine progress but also insight and acceptance of areas for ongoing action and improvement. Areas of progress include the ability to drive improvement to lift some services out of special measures. Maternity services and out-of-hours services have both achieved this and are now part of the board’s ongoing improvement drive. Measures of quality, such as responding to concerns and infection prevention and control, demonstrate that historic performance issues have been addressed. The board now has a more structured approach to continuing assurance and improvement. 

It is important to recognise the positive and sustained response to COVID-19 from the health board in the most difficult of circumstances. This reflects the improved resilience and ability to deliver. The health board has provided an honest assessment of areas for ongoing action and improvement that coincide with the views of the recent meeting of tripartite partners, including: the need to further improve leadership and governance; the development of a long-term integrated clinical services strategy; further strengthening leadership capacity within mental health to enhance stability and resilience; the development of a robust three-year financial plan to meet its financial duties as part of the integrated medium-term plan; the need to finalise and implement a revised accountability and performance framework, and deliver improvements in performance, particularly in the acute sector.

Whilst many other health organisations have related issues to address, as Members are aware, they are more long-standing for north Wales and performance is disproportionately poor in respect of high-profile areas, such as referral to treatment and accident and emergency, demonstrating a need to enable recurrent and longer term solutions. To address these long-standing challenges, I have decided that a different approach for the next phase of improvement is required. I will, therefore, provide strategic longer term funding for key service and performance issues. This will enable the health board to move away from short-term actions and make progress on medium and longer term planning that translates into an approvable plan.

I have already confirmed the position on NHS historical deficits and cash support that will benefit the outlook for the health board. To enable further progress, I am today announcing a package of strategic assistance support for the next three and half years. This assistance will provide a different set of parameters that will enable the health board to reset and plan sustainably for the future, to meet the health needs of the people of north Wales. It will include: cover for the deficit of up to £40 million a year; funding to improve unscheduled care and build a sustainable planned care programme, including orthopaedics, of £30 million a year; £12 million a year to support performance improvement and implementation of the mental health strategy in partnership; and support to build broader capability and capacity in the organisation.

The support for this strategic approach will be on the basis that the health board continues to build on existing partner relationships and fully engages with the public, staff, trade unions and wider partners. The essential first step will be to work in partnership to build a sustainable vision for the future, leading to a medium-term plan, focusing on prevention, physical and mental well-being, population health and, of course, primary and secondary care services.

I recognise this as a priority area for investment. It is therefore my intention to continue this support for the years 2021-22 through to, and including, 2023-24. It will involve a revised improvement framework and development of a maturity-matrix approach to assess progress. In addition, Members will be aware that I issued a written statement informing Members that I will establish a task and finish group to make recommendations to me on a proposal for a north Wales medical school.

This support that I'm announcing today will help to bring about transformation and innovation, leading to improved outcomes, patient experience and financial performance year on year. It is a clear demonstration of our growing confidence in Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board's ability to further improve and deliver the high standard of services and care that the people of north Wales have every right to expect. Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer.