What consideration has the Welsh Government given to whether Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board should be placed under the UK Department of Health and Social Care, at least until stable improvement has been achieved?
Responsibility for the organisation, oversight and performance management of NHS services in Wales is devolved to Wales, in accordance with the democratic will of the Welsh people expressed in two referenda. The legislative framework for Welsh NHS bodies is set out in the National Health Service (Wales) Act 2006, under which Welsh Ministers have powers to establish and oversee Local Health Boards for areas in Wales. Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board is a Local Health Board established under those provisions and is accountable to Welsh Ministers.
The devolution settlement provides for health and health services in Wales to be the responsibility of Welsh institutions. Accordingly, there is no role for the UK Department of Health and Social Care in the performance management or direct oversight of Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board.
Whilst we will always look for good practice elsewhere, the responsibility for oversight and escalation of NHS bodies in Wales rests with Welsh Ministers. To abdicate this would be a dereliction of duty to the people of Wales. While other political parties may want to explore ways of avoiding accountability and responsibility, perhaps because they have no credible plans of their own, this Government firmly believes in upholding its moral and constitutional obligations to the people of Wales in full, without exception.
In my statement to the Senedd on 30 June, I announced new measures to stabilise services, strengthen leadership and hold Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board to account for sustained improvement as part of the ongoing level 5 escalation at the health board. I was also clear that this Government will not countenance the idea of allowing an organisation from outside of Wales to take over Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board.