6. Statement by the Minister for Health and Social Services: Escalation and further intervention to improve the quality of services in Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:28 pm on 28 February 2023.

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Photo of Llyr Gruffydd Llyr Gruffydd Plaid Cymru 4:28, 28 February 2023

(Translated)

Many of us, and I'm sure you're amongst us, will remember learning a saying in primary school, which reminded us that every time we point a finger at somebody, there are always three fingers pointing back at us. I don't think that that's been truer than it is this afternoon, because the past 24 hours have demonstrated to us that you, as a Minister, and this Government are going around and around in circles when it comes to health services in north Wales. Into special measures; out of special measures; back into special measures; chief executives being appointed; chief executives being forced, very often, to move on; new chairs being appointed; new chairs being asked to stand down. We have been here a number of times and things are not improving.

Now, when Mark Polin was appointed, I was confident that if anyone could turn this board around, then he was that person. But the fact that he and his fellow members of the board have failed to do that highlights to me that there are deeper, more systemic problems here, and that means that there needs to be more radical action and that there needs to be more far-reaching action from you, as a Minister, and from this Government. So, will you at least commission a piece of work to look at alternative options in terms of the future of the health board? Perhaps it'll come back and say that what we have now is the best we can have. Right, fair enough, but ask the question and start that process, because if you don't, we will continue to go around and around in circles, and it's your successor who'll be here in a few months explaining why we're still in that position.