Damning Audit Wales report finds 'deeply worrying dysfunctionality’ at Betsi Cadwaladr health board
A damning report has found a "deeply worrying degree of dysfunctionality" at a Welsh health board.
The Audit Wales report identifies "clear and deep-seated fractures" among bosses at Betsi Cadwaladr health board in North Wales.
It said the health board needs to find a new CEO as a "matter of urgency" and pointed to ongoing and "long-standing concerns about the performance, quality and safety of a number of specific services".
The report added the board has a "long way to go" before its senior management can work effectively together and concluded the Welsh government would probably have to intervene.
The Welsh government acknowledges that the report raises "serious questions" about the board's management.
While the health board itself says it is "disappointing" that internal interventions have not led to improvements but that several actions are already in progress.
The auditor general found that challenging scrutiny from independent members of the health board in public meetings had "adversely affected working relationships" among the board's executive committee.
According to the report, this in turn has compromised the health board's ability to address the "significant challenges" it faces.
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The report added it is "unlikely" and "doubtful" that the situation will be resolved "without some form of intervention to establish a more unified Executive Team and wider board".
Mark Polin, chair of Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, said: "I can confirm the Board's commitment to taking the recommendations forward, and we will work collaboratively with Welsh Government and Audit Wales in doing so."
Mr Polin added that the health board was "aware of the majority of the issues raised" in the report.
"It is most disappointing that previous internal interventions have not resulted in necessary improvements in relation to an effective Board, which is what the patients and population of north Wales deserve in order to deliver and receive safe and effective services," he continued.
Government urged to 'intervene'
The Welsh Conservatives have called on the Welsh government to "urgently intervene" on the issues identified in the report.
A Welsh government spokesperson said: "This report raises serious concerns about the management and governance of Betsi Cadwaldr University Health Board.
"We are concerned about the performance of the board and we will be meeting with them to discuss those concerns.
"We will respond to the findings of this report shortly."
