Vaughan Gething, Cabinet Secretary for Health, Well-being and Sport
Members will be aware that as part of the Tripartite arrangements between the Welsh Government, Wales Audit Office and Healthcare Inspectorate Wales, a bi-annual meeting is convened to consider escalation and intervention arrangements for NHS organisations. A wide range of information and intelligence is considered to identify any issues and put in place support to resolve them.
This statement informs Assembly Members about the outcome of the latest meeting.
The framework has 4 escalation levels:
- Routine arrangements
- Enhanced monitoring
- Targeted intervention
- Special measures
As a result of the Tripartite discussion, the Welsh Ambulance Services Trust was de-escalated from ‘enhanced monitoring’ to ‘routine arrangements’. This reflects the considerable progress made by the Trust, and that they have a medium term plan agreed with the Chief Ambulance Commissioner and all of the health boards which provides a platform for continued development.
Three organisations, Abertawe Bro Morgannwg, Cardiff & Vale and Hywel Dda University Health Boards were escalated to ‘targeted intervention’ for the following reasons:
Abertawe Bro Morgannwg: the health board has been unable to deliver their previously approved integrated medium term plan, and has continuing challenges in respect of performance in areas such as unscheduled care and cancer. I was unable to approve their IMTP for 2016/17 – 2018/19 because it did not set out how the organisation would address the challenges it faces.
Cardiff and Vale: although service performance has recently improved in a number of key areas, the health boards’ plan for 2016/17 – 2018/19 did not provide me with the necessary confidence that the organisation has a deliverable and affordable plan for the next three years.
Hywel Dda: the health board faces a number of long-standing challenges and has not yet been able to produce a plan to address them. A strategic solution is required to ensure that services in Hywel Dda are sustainable.
All 3 organisations will provide and be monitored against a one year plan, whilst work continues to ensure that the health boards are in a position to develop an approvable 3 year plan as quickly as possible.
All other organisations will remain at their current escalation level. The table summarises the revised escalation status for each organisation.
This statement is being issued during recess in order to keep members informed. Should members wish me to make a further statement or to answer questions on this when the Assembly returns I would be happy to do so.