Will the Cabinet Secretary state what consideration has been given to democratising health boards so that their members have to face election and greater accountability?
The Welsh Government White Paper ‘Services Fit for the Future’ consulted on proposals to strengthen the governance of local health boards so they function effectively as integrated, accountable, population-based organisations. The proposals included:
· That Boards of both health boards and NHS Trusts should share some core key principles including delivering in partnership to deliver person centred care and a strong governance framework to enable the Board to work effectively and meet its responsibilities.
· All NHS Boards should have Vice Chairs in order to support focussed and skilled leadership.
· Welsh Ministers should have the authority to appoint additional Board members on time limited appointments if an NHS Health Board/Trust is under performing or under escalation procedures in accordance with the NHS Wales Escalation and Intervention arrangements.
In my statement on the outcome of the consultation I advised that I would be taking all of these proposals forward.
The White Paper also asked generally whether the current size and composition of NHS boards was the most effective to deliver strong leadership, key priorities, strategic decision making and a consistent culture. The question of election of members to NHS boards was raised during the consultation but there was no appetite to change the appointment of both executive and non-executive members.
Non-executive members are appointed through the Public Appointments process which is designed to ensure the best people from the widest possible pool of candidates are appointed to these roles, the process adheres to the principles of public appointments. Currently two non-executive appointments to Local Health Boards are recruited from a pool of democratically elected members, the Local Authority and the Trade Union member appointment.
I am not proposing to make any changes to the appointment process; although I am looking at what changes might be necessary to the size and composition of NHS Boards to ensure they provide effective governance for both the present and future.