Plaid AM slams Welsh Government failure to improve health services in Swansea Bay

3 years have lapsed since Welsh Government decided to put the Health Board under ‘targeted intervention’ status

Plaid AM Dr. Dai Lloyd today (Wednesday, November 26th 2019) called on the Welsh Government to outline additional steps it is planning to take to improve performance at Swansea Bay Health Board.

The Health Board, and its predecessor ABM, has been under ‘targeted intervention’ status by the Welsh Government since September 2016.

Dr. Lloyd today raised the issue with the Health Secretary, Vaughan Gething at the Senedd, and pointed out that a number of performance measures being reported to the Health Board this week, show that performance is actually getting worse instead of better.

Dr. Lloyd today stated:

“Back in September 2016, Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board was put under Welsh Government ‘targeted intervention’. This status of course is only one step away from ‘Special Measures’.

“The reason for this was due to significant concerns that existed at that time around unscheduled care and planned care, among others.

“Locally in Swansea and South West Wales, we know that there are significant operational pressures on unscheduled care and scheduled care.

“Performance data due to be discussed at the Swansea Bay Health Board meeting this week makes for difficult reading. It shows significant problems in a number of areas. In October, ambulances waited outside A&E Departments for 2,778 hours – precious hours spent sat outside hospitals due to lack of beds, instead of responding to life threatening situations.

“Waits for planned care are also worsening, with 4,256 patients waiting more than 36 weeks for treatment – an increase of over 2,000 since April. Unfortunately, Unscheduled and scheduled care services in the Swansea Bay area are currently failing the population.”

Dr. Lloyd added:

“Despite the Health Board being in ‘targeted intervention’ since September 2016, performance in many areas is getting worse, not better. Why should people in Swansea and Neath Port Talbot have to endure this level of service?

“Given the fact that over three years have lapsed since the Welsh Government decided to provide targeted intervention, it is vital that the Minister for Health outlines what he plans to do to improve matters.

“The Health Board is still struggling to meet national performance targets, and we need an open debate on why this is the case.”