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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Betsi Cadwaladr special measures remain for two years | Betsi Cadwaladr special measures remain for two years |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The troubled health board serving north Wales will remain in special measures for two years, Deputy Health Minister Vaughan Gething has announced. | The troubled health board serving north Wales will remain in special measures for two years, Deputy Health Minister Vaughan Gething has announced. |
| Betsi Cadwaladr health board's chief executive Prof Trevor Purt, suspended since June, is standing down. | |
| The board has been under the highest possible level of Welsh government intervention for four months. | The board has been under the highest possible level of Welsh government intervention for four months. |
| A report found "institutional abuse" at the Tawel Fan mental health ward in Glan Clwyd Hospital, Denbighshire. | A report found "institutional abuse" at the Tawel Fan mental health ward in Glan Clwyd Hospital, Denbighshire. |
| In June, it emerged there was a fraud investigation into aspects of the board's spending plans. | |
| 'Difficult time' | 'Difficult time' |
| On Thursday, Mr Gething said "longer-term plans" were needed to build on "this initial phase of stabilisation in order to tackle more fundamental challenges, particularly to improve mental health services in north Wales". | On Thursday, Mr Gething said "longer-term plans" were needed to build on "this initial phase of stabilisation in order to tackle more fundamental challenges, particularly to improve mental health services in north Wales". |
| "Whilst I recognise this is a difficult time for the organisation, I want to put on record the feedback has been extremely positive on the response from staff," he said. | "Whilst I recognise this is a difficult time for the organisation, I want to put on record the feedback has been extremely positive on the response from staff," he said. |
| "Their dedication and energy will be critical to tackling the challenges ahead in delivering day to day and improving the services for the population of north Wales." | "Their dedication and energy will be critical to tackling the challenges ahead in delivering day to day and improving the services for the population of north Wales." |
| Betsi Cadwaladr chairman Dr Peter Higson said: "I am pleased that the deputy minister has recognised the progress we have made in a number of key areas. | Betsi Cadwaladr chairman Dr Peter Higson said: "I am pleased that the deputy minister has recognised the progress we have made in a number of key areas. |
| "The board knows that there is a great deal to do as we develop the health service which the people of north Wales need and deserve." | "The board knows that there is a great deal to do as we develop the health service which the people of north Wales need and deserve." |
| Interim chief executive Simon Dean said: "Progress is being made in a number of key areas identified when special measures were announced four months ago. | Interim chief executive Simon Dean said: "Progress is being made in a number of key areas identified when special measures were announced four months ago. |
| "I know that, working together, the organisation will address the current challenges with confidence and ambition." | "I know that, working together, the organisation will address the current challenges with confidence and ambition." |
| 'Serious concerns' | |
| In a statement, the board confirmed that suspended chief executive Mr Purt had stepped down and was "considering the process for the recruitment of a successor". | |
| "He will return to work in England where he will contribute to a number of NHS projects including the wider integration both across partner organisations and within the NHS more generally," the statement said. | |
| "He will build on the experience he has gained over six years in the Welsh NHS system." | |
| The head of the north Wales patients' watchdog, the community health council, welcomed the news the board was staying in special measures for two years. | The head of the north Wales patients' watchdog, the community health council, welcomed the news the board was staying in special measures for two years. |
| Geoff Ryall-Harvey said the problems were never going to be resolved in 100 days. | Geoff Ryall-Harvey said the problems were never going to be resolved in 100 days. |
| "It took them years to get to this and it'll take them at least two years to get out of it," he said. | "It took them years to get to this and it'll take them at least two years to get out of it," he said. |
| Welsh Conservative Shadow Health Minister Darren Millar said the decision "reflects serious concerns over the pace of progress at the health board in recent months". | |
| He said it "suggests that the Welsh government is far from confident that swift improvements can be made". |