Clwyd West MS Darren Millar has accused the Welsh Government of trying to mislead the people of North Wales by dubbing measures announced for Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board today ‘targeted intervention’.

In a written statement issued to the Welsh Parliament today, the Welsh Government’s Health Minister said following de-escalation from Special Measures, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board have been placed in ‘Targeted Intervention’.

But Darren said with improvements still required in a number of key areas that were unresolved by Special Measures, the change in status is political and that the Health Board remains in special measures in all but name.

He said:

“This is nothing more than a rebranding of Special Measures.

“While the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board has been doing a great job in terms of rolling out the coronavirus vaccine, the truth is that it still needs to make significant improvements on a number of other fronts that were identified as failing almost six years ago, including mental health services, public engagement and leadership.

“Waiting times in North Wales were already unacceptable prior to the pandemic and access to GP and dentistry services remains fragile.

“With only nine weeks remaining until the Welsh Parliament elections it is clear to everyone why the Health Minister has made this move.

“The people of North Wales are not easily fooled however and will see past his desperate attempt to redeem the years of Welsh Government failure when it comes to our NHS.”

He added: “The Health Minister insists that improvements have been made, but when I speak to my constituents, many do not feel like performance has improved and will hopefully make their views felt at the ballot box in May.”