The Besti Cadwaladr University Health Board is in danger of overspending by tens of millions by the end of the financial year, according to Labour’s Health Minister.
In previous years the Welsh Labour Government has offered the cash strapped health board ‘bail-outs’ but it is believed that no such payments will be made this year. The Chief Executive of the Welsh NHS, Dr Andrew Goodall, has inidcated that overspending by Betsi Cadwaladr could total up to £30 million.
Clwyd West AM Darren Millar, said:
“Despite assurances that there will be no bailouts this time, it remains concerning that Betsi Cadwaladr is one of two health boards which are going to struggle to break even this year.
“This dire state of affairs is symptomatic of Labour’s failure to protect the health budget in recent years, and highlights the lack of progress being made at the Health Board.
“Frontline staff and patients deserve better, but sadly the Welsh NHS is still counting the cumulative cost of £1 billion in underfunding since 2011.”