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A joint review by the Wales Audit Office and Healthcare Inspectorate Wales has concluded that governance arrangements at Cwm Taf Morgannwg health board are compromising the quality of care offered to patients (pdf).
The report says that the board has been too focused on financial balance and meeting targets and less concerned with the quality and safety of its services. It calls for governance roles to be more clearly defined and an overhaul of the complaints system.
“Our joint review findings make worrying reading. Whilst maintaining a necessary focus on its finances and other performance targets, the Health Board has not given due attention to the quality of the services it provides. Urgent action is needed to correct this and to support staff on the ground to deliver care that is safe and of high quality”.
– Dr Kate Chamberlain, Healthcare Inspectorate Wales
The report does, however, acknowledge that the health board is making progress since its maternity services were placed into special measures earlier this year.
