Darren Millar MS, Member of the Senedd for Clwyd, has expressed serious concern after a report revealed that 11 ‘never events’ were recorded at the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board in 2025/26, an increase of six compared with the previous year.
Never events are serious, largely preventable incidents that should not occur if appropriate safety procedures are followed.
Darren Millar MS said:
“It is deeply concerning that ‘never events’ in North Wales has nearly doubled compared with last year.
“Any increase in these incidents is a matter of significant concern for patients, their families and NHS staff.”
These latest figures come despite the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board having been under Welsh Government special measures and enhanced intervention for more than a decade, raising serious questions about whether the current arrangements are delivering the improvements patients were promised.
Darren added:
“Staff across the Health Board continue to work tirelessly under challenging conditions, but patients and their families deserve confidence that when they enter hospital they will receive safe, high-quality care.
"The Welsh Government and the Health Board must provide a clear explanation for this increase and outline the actions being taken to prevent further ‘never events’.
"After more than a decade of special measures and intervention, people in North Wales rightly expect to see sustained improvements in patient safety and confidence restored in NHS services."
