A well-functioning Board

A report by Audit Wales into the effectiveness of the Board in February 2023, called for urgent action to tackle a breakdown in relationships within the Board. The report highlighted how this was compromising the ability to deal with the many challenges that the Health Board faced. There was also criticism of the high number of interim staff who were in positions of senior leadership.  

Progress made: 

• We have strengthened our leadership with a number of substantive senior appointments to the Board. This includes the appointment of a permanent Chair and Chief Executive. The people appointed have the skills and expertise to lead the organisation and there is a new Board dynamic. 

• A re-review of the effectiveness of the Board (Audit Wales February 2024) said the Board was in a more stable position and working relationships amongst senior leaders were more positive. 

• New Independent Members have been appointed to the Board to provide support, scrutiny and expertise and further new members are due to start in March 2024.  

• Significant progress has been made on reducing senior interim roles. We reduced the number of senior interims from 41 in December 2022 to 2 in December 2023. 

• A Board Development Programme is ensuring Board members have a deep understanding of issues which includes detailed presentations and visits to services. 

Future Plans  

• We will bring the areas identified for improvement as part of Special Measures into our overall planning approach. This way of working ensures we are embedding our learning and making best use of all our resources. 

• Plans are in place to recruit to the remaining substantive posts to bring the Board up to full capacity.  

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, one year on: digital download