Local Democracy Reporting Service by Richard Evans
7 hours ago
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Betsy Cadwalladr, chief executive of the University Health Board, said the organization's focus for the future was on long-term goals, a year after being put back into special measures.
The chief executive of North Wales Health Board said its services were “far from adequate”.
Betsy Cadwaladr Health Board was placed under special measures again in February last year, with board members removed and finance staff suspended.
Chief Executive Officer Carol Silabile told the board that the company is considering long-term improvements.
Wales' public sector watchdog praised the improvements but stressed further action was still needed.
The board was removed from special measures in 2021, and then in February 2023 the Welsh Government announced it was being placed in the highest level of escalation following serious concerns about performance, leadership and culture.
Health Minister Ernedo Morgan highlighted eight areas of concern.
These include governance and board effectiveness, workforce and organizational development, financial governance and management, caring leadership and culture, clinical governance, patient experience and safety, operational delivery, planning and service transformation, Includes mental health.
Board members were then forced to resign and new members were appointed.
Speaking at Venue Cymru in Llandudno, chief executive Carol Sirabile said: “A year ago, the organization started to turn around.
“There have been some pretty dramatic changes that have affected how the organization functions,” she said.
“So our focus is to try to have an organization that works well, because when you have an organization that works well, you can address the issues that matter to people.”
Council members heard how the action plan was developed and the Council Development Program was developed and implemented, focusing on areas of concern, including eight areas highlighted by the Welsh Government.
Other improvements included planned treatment wait times, with a 19% reduction in people waiting 208 weeks to start treatment. Compared to last year, there was a 63% decrease in people waiting more than 156 weeks to see their first appointment or start treatment, and a 21% decrease in people waiting 104 weeks.
The board also heard how emergency medical services in the emergency department were progressing. But while the report says “some improvement has been achieved”, winter pressures have hampered efforts and further improvements are still needed.
Despite this, the board acknowledged that more changes needed to be made across the service.
Executive medical director Nick Lyons said: “We still have a huge challenge. But perhaps we should (acknowledge) that over 156 weeks we have seen a 63% reduction in people waiting.” he said.
Other improvements include eliminating five- and six-year waiting times, improving prostate cancer diagnosis by 18 days and investing £29 million in Llandudno Hospital.
