BETSI Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) has been told they must address recommendations from a report into its vascular services, with a matter of urgency. 

In February of last year, the Royal College of Surgeons' (RCS) released a damning report into the vascular services in north Wales. 

The report led to significant concerns across the region and ended with Health Minister Eluned Morgan issuing an ultimatum to BCUHB. 

They were told to address the issues or face going into special measures. 

BCUHB responded by setting up an independent panel, chaired by Susan Aitkenhead, aimed at addressing any potential issues and a week later, an investigation into vascular services was opened by the Health Board following 'concerning safety incidents'.

Today, a further report, commissioned by BCUHB, has been published by the independent Vascular Quality Review Panel.

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The Panel was constructed to ensure a mixed membership of individuals both internal and external to BCUHB; with an independent Chair, an external vascular surgical expert, and an external vascular specialist nurse who has no previous affiliation to BCUHB and is not working within NHS Wales.

The Panel’s deliberation was solely in relation to the review of the 47 cases, and examining for each the following two questions:

  • Whether the patient records contain the information expected for the patient episodes of care;
  • Whether the necessary and appropriate follow up and aftercare plans were put in place.

Discussing the findings of the report, Eluned Morgan said: "The findings of the Vascular Quality Review Panel are mainly consistent with the Royal College of Surgeons’ review findings, although in some instances, the Panel was privy to further identified information, and members’ local knowledge provided additional context.

The Leader: Eluned MorganEluned Morgan

"The report makes 27 recommendations, in relation to effectiveness of clinical pathways; clinical governance, including consent and decision-making, accountability and professional practice; person-centred care; team working, including the multi-disciplinary team; complex pain management; palliative care; education and learning; discharge, and necessary and appropriate follow up and aftercare plans.

"I do not underestimate how challenging it has been for the health board to address these issues, but they must provide assurance that they are addressing, or have already addressed, the recommendations within this report as a matter of urgency.

"The people in North Wales must be assured that BCUHB have rectified the issues identified, improved pathways and outcomes."

Dr Nick Lyons, interim deputy CEO and executive medical director of BCUHB, said: “Firstly, I would like to reiterate my sincere apologies to those patients who did not receive the first class service they deserve, some of whose cases were covered in this report.

The Leader: Nick LyonsNick Lyons

“Following the Royal College of Surgeons’ report into our vascular service published in January 2022, which crucially spanned records from as early as 2015 up to July 2021, we were honest and said we needed to do better.

“I am satisfied the majority of the recommendations outlined in this review have already been completed and work continues on those outstanding.

“The hard work of our staff has resulted in a service which I believe is now serving the people of North Wales. We know we have more work to do and there has been a tremendous amount of training done on things like record keeping.

“While I would be the first to acknowledge there is still much to do, I believe the vascular service across North Wales is in a far better place than it was prior to the invited RCS review and is providing good outcomes for our public."