Investigation Launched into Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board Data

A formal investigation has been initiated regarding the waiting time data from Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board. This decision, announced by Health Secretary Jeremy Miles, follows the postponement of the publication of NHS Wales performance statistics last week. Concerns have arisen over discrepancies in the reported waiting list size and inconsistencies in operational activity levels.

The health board has stated that it is actively addressing the situation and asserts that the data inaccuracies have “not impacted the delivery of care.” This investigation comes amidst ongoing challenges faced by Betsi Cadwaladr, which was placed under special measures for the second time by the Welsh Government in February 2023. The health board previously underwent a similar process from 2015 to 2020.

Jeremy Miles MS, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, explained, “Following discussions with the Chief Statistician, the publication of referral to treatment (RTT) waiting times for Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board is being suspended, pending the outcome of an external investigation into the quality and governance of its data.” He emphasized that the review focuses on the accuracy of the RTT data submitted in recent months, highlighting anomalies in the reported waiting list and operational activity levels that undermine confidence in the validity of the information.

The upcoming investigation will concentrate solely on data related to planned care, excluding areas such as cancer, diagnostics, therapies, and urgent and emergency care, where no inconsistencies have been identified thus far. Miles clarified, “This review is about the quality and management of data, not about the quality of patient care nor about how long people are waiting for care in North Wales.”

The investigation will be conducted by experts from Digital Health and Care Wales, NHS Wales Performance and Improvement, the Chief Statistician’s team within the Welsh Government, and a peer expert from another Welsh health board. Miles stated that the review will commence immediately, examining the health board’s data collection, quality assurance, and reporting processes, with the goal of restoring public trust in the official statistics.

The chief executive of the health board, Carol Shillabeer, acknowledged the gravity of the situation, saying, “We recognise the seriousness of the issue we are currently facing with our referral-to-treatment waiting-time data, and we have been working at pace to update and resubmit it.” She reassured the public, stating, “It is important to emphasise that this issue has not affected patients receiving their appointments.”

Responses from political leaders have been swift. Mabon ap Gwynfor MS, spokesperson for health and social care for Plaid Cymru, described the situation as “incredibly damning,” adding that it reflects the Labour Government’s failure to bring order to Betsi Cadwaladr. He called for a thorough investigation into the root causes of the issue, expressing concerns about the impact on Wales-wide waiting list figures.

Darren Millar, leader of the Conservative Party in Wales, echoed these sentiments, stating, “The situation in the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board is totally unacceptable. We need urgent action and an independent inquiry to restore public confidence and turn things around.” He criticized the ongoing failures, noting that performance has deteriorated since the introduction of special measures.

As the investigation unfolds, the health board faces mounting scrutiny regarding its data practices and the implications for patient care in North Wales. The outcomes of this review may play a crucial role in determining the future direction of the health board and its management under the Welsh Government.