19.03.15
Doctors pass ‘no confidence’ vote against Welsh health board
Doctors have passed a vote of no confidence against Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board following its controversial decision to close consultant-led obstetrics and gynaecology services at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd in Rhyl.
The Clwyd North Division of the British Medical Association (BMA) said that clinicians responsible for the service, and those in inter-dependent specialties, were not consulted on the proposals and believe the health board side stepped existing consultation processes with staff and stakeholders.
They described the “undue haste” and “inappropriate secrecy” used by health board managers as making a “mockery of the Welsh government’s aspirational model for openness”.
Honorary secretary of the Clwyd North Division, Dr Julie Jones said: “As doctors, it makes all us feel demeaned. It devalues our professional expertise.
“We therefore invite the health and social services minister, Professor Mark Drakeford, to investigate how inadequate leadership and governance at the health board/executive team has allowed this unacceptable situation to develop and to determine whether now is the appropriate time to place the health board into special measures in order to ensure patient safety.
“This is a very worrying time for patients and employees and the division invites the minister to make an early statement in the Senedd on this rapidly deteriorating situation.”
The health board agreed at a meeting in February to an “interim urgent change” to “maintain safe standards of care”. The plans will see the suspension of the service at the Bodelwyddan-based hospital for at least 12 months from 6 April and staff transferred to neighbouring Ysbyty Gwynedd and Wrexham Maelor hospitals.
The board said that difficulties in recruiting doctors meant that running obstetric rotas on each of the three main hospital sites was not sustainable and that a continued reliance on locum and agency staff “represents an unacceptable clinical risk”.
Professor Matthew Makin, medical director at the health board said: “We are disappointed by this step from the local Clwyd North Branch of the BMA.
"We fully acknowledge the strength of feeling regarding the board’s decision from our clinicians, but maintain that our primary motivation for making this pre-emptive urgent interim change is to protect the safety of mothers and babies.
“Our clinicians have been long aware of the issues of recruitment and safety, and our clinically led Womens Clinical Programme Group proposed the interim solution.
“We have been clear that we will consider views on alternative safe clinical solutions through the implementation process and had a useful meeting with the Obstetric Consultants from Ysbyty Glan Clwyd earlier this week. They have yet to develop a formal proposal for an alternative solution to the planned interim arrangements, but we are supporting them to do this.
“We continue to engage strongly with all relevant clinical groups through the Implementation Group that meets weekly.”
Earlier this month a petition signed by 15,000 people opposed to the loss of consultant-led maternity services was presented at the Assembly.
(Image source: Eirian Evans)
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