Will the Cabinet Secretary outline how the Welsh Government is working with Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board to reduce A&E waiting times?
I have been clear with the health board that I expect to see significant improvement in the quality and timeliness of urgent and emergency care. This includes a focus on reducing ambulance patient handover waits, the time spent by people in emergency departments, and delays in people leaving hospital when they are ready to do so.
The Welsh Government continues to work closely with the health board to improve access to safe and timely health care for the people of North Wales. Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board has received £6m over the past two years to support delivery of its urgent and emergency care improvement programme and improve outcomes for people who need to access emergency care.
This year, we have also provided an extra £2.7m for same day emergency care services and an extra £32.7m for the Regional Partnership Board to help manage more people in the community and to support timely discharge home from hospital. The health board is also receiving targeted support from the NHS Executive and the national six goals for urgent and emergency care programme team.
I hold regular meetings with the health board chair and wider board to ensure that the health board is progressing with the appropriate actions in response to the special measures escalation, including improving delivery of urgent and emergency care services.