Local health board ‘escalated’ due to finance fears

Local health board will face greater scrutiny from the Welsh Government due to serious concerns about their finances, Wales’ health secretary announced.

Jeremy Miles confirmed that Powys Teaching Health Board will be escalated to level four for finance, strategy and planning.

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This is the second highest level on the Welsh Government’s new five-point intervention scale, one short of special measures.

Mr Miles warned: “We need to increase the level of support because of the growing financial deficits both organisations are reporting.”

He also said that Swansea Bay University Health Board will remain at level four for performance and level three for maternity.

He raised improvements in Cwm Taf Morgannwg’s child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS), which will move to level three after meeting de-escalation criteria.

‘Not a punishment’

In a statement on November 5, Mr Miles said Cwm Taf has also made significant progress on finance but will remain at level three to ensure improvements are sustained.

The health board stays at level four for urgent care, cancer and planned care.

He confirmed that all seven major health boards remain in some form of intervention, with no changes to the escalation levels of other NHS organisations.

Mr Miles said Betsi Cadwaladr remains in special measures, adding a progress report has been published and the de-escalation criteria the board must meet have been agreed.

He told the Senedd: “These decisions have not been taken lightly.

“Escalation is not a form of punishment, it is the best way to support these NHS organisations to improve the quality of service and care that people receive in Wales from the health service in their local area and, ultimately, their outcomes.”

'Disappointed'

Russell George, the Conservative Member of the Senedd for Montgomeryshire said he was 'disappointed' that Powys Health Board had been escalated and questioned the escalation process.