Commenting on the Health Minister’s plans for a ‘National Clinical Forum’ to advise Local Health Boards on their proposals for reconfiguration, Shadow Minister for Health Darren Millar AM, said:
“The establishment of this group is an attempt by the Health Minister to shirk all responsibility for the Welsh NHS.
“It’s a cowardly move that seeks to pass the buck for future unpopular decisions which are a direct result of Welsh Labour Government policy.
“Talk of an ‘independent’ group of clinicians is also very difficult to believe when the Chair is employed by NHS Wales and is directly accountable to the Minister.
“Indeed – the Chair is the very same person who last year told the Public Accounts Committee that he believed that Wales had too many consultant-led maternity units; it is not possible for him to provide an independent view on this or any other matter.
“This group is far from independent, and its establishment is a sham.’
