4. Statement by the Minister for Health and Social Services: Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board Clinical Review Update

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:05 pm on 2 February 2021.

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Photo of Leanne Wood Leanne Wood Plaid Cymru 4:05, 2 February 2021

It's not possible to overstate the pain, the hurt, the harm and the anguish that has been caused to every one of the families that has been affected by this scandal, and that is ongoing. It's not something that's in the past; it's something that people are living with every single day. The report says that, of the 28 episodes of care reviewed, in two thirds of these cases, different care may be reasonably expected to have had a different outcome. Can the Minister explain what he understands 'different outcome' to mean? Does he accept that this polite and diplomatic language used in these reports may well be part of the problem? The report mentions that only four of the 28 women in the cohort chose to share their stories, despite the community health council providing an advocacy service. Does the Minister accept that these low numbers are a problem, and a problem that illustrates that much more work needs to be done in order to restore trust from the community in the health board? The report and the statement put much emphasis on the improvements and learning that has taken place, but if we've learnt anything from the past year and other scandals that have taken place in other institutions, it's that learning can only be really embedded if there is accountability for wrongdoing. Can the Minister honestly say that there has been accountability in this scandal, when the previous leadership of the health board have received such large payouts and the women who've become bereaved, in some cases, have received nothing?