Cwm Taf University Health Board falls into special measures

Commenting on the news that Cwm Taf University Health Board has fallen into special measures, Acting Health Spokesperson, Darren Millar AM, said:

“This report makes grim reading and exposes serious concerns at the heart of an organisation which failed those in its care.

“The staffing, governance and leadership issues have had tragic consequences for parents, families and their loved ones and those responsible for what went wrong must be held to account for what has happened.

“While I welcome news that maternity services at Cwm Taf Morgannwg Health Board have now been placed into special measures, I am concerned that it has taken far too long for this action to be taken. It is some seven months since the crisis in maternity care was first exposed and nearly seven years after concerns were first formally raised; it should not have taken so long. The Health Minister should apologise for dragging his feet on this issue.

“As we have seen from problems elsewhere in Wales, special measures alone won’t solve this crisis; we need a clear plan of action and a strong accountability framework to ensure that change is delivered swiftly and confidence in local services can be restored.”

He added:

“This is yet another example of the Labour Party failing to get to grips with problems in our NHS.”