Health board placed just below special measures

The health secretary has increased oversight of Cardiff and Vale University Health Board to just below special measures.

Jeremy Miles said there were "worrying cultural and leadership challenges" and the board clearly needed extra support.

It comes after an internal report earlier this year found staff at the University Hospital of Wales had been involved in drug use, theft and other poor behaviour.

Mr Miles also said the board's financial deficit had grown over the past 18 months, which has lead to the decision.

He also pointed to long waiting lists, with the health board now having the second highest number of people in Wales waiting more than two years for treatment.

Miles said all these problems showed the board needed extra help.

"This will enable us to support the health board to develop and implement the necessary improvements," he added.

He said the Welsh government would work with senior leaders to check if the organisation has the right skills and enough capacity, and "support them to appoint a team with the appropriate skills and expertise".

Miles said there had been "positive developments" at the health board, but said the decision to increase measures was "the best way to support the health board".

On the same day an independent report highlighted numerous care failings in maternity services at Swansea Bay University Health Board, Health Secretary Mr Miles announced that both maternity and neonatal services at SBUHB would also be escalated to level four monitoring.

Meanwhile, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board remains under special measures.

However, Mr Miles noted "clear signs" that the board is beginning to address many of its long-standing issues.

He added there remained a "wide range of performance issues – especially with planned care and urgent and emergency care – which must be gripped urgently".