How many full-time equivalent Welsh Government employees have been working on Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board’s special measures since the board was placed under them, and what is the total salary cost for this?
It is important in responding to the questions to note that the special measures arrangements in place for Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board has not involved removing the duties and responsibility of the Board. Support has been provided in the form of commissioning key advisors and support to work alongside the Health Board to deliver on the improvements needed and meet the milestones set. Information on the key advisers put in place to work with the Health Board has been outlined in previous statements and include Ann Lloyd on governance, Peter Meredith-Smith, Helen Bennett and recently a previous head of the NHS Delivery Unit to advise on mental health and Dr Chris V Jones on primary care.
In addition to the monitoring arrangements in place with the Wales Audit Office and Healthcare Inspectorate Wales under the escalation and intervention arrangements Welsh Government has oversight and accountability processes in place for BCU. This includes involvement of the Chief Executive, Directors and policy leads within the Health and Social Services Group interacting regularly with the Health Board through intervention and accountability meetings. It is therefore not possible to provide full time equivalent numbers. A resource is in place to strategically co-ordinate the oversight, monitoring and commissioning work and salary costs for this since the Health Board was placed in special measures is £139,015.