Welsh Conservatives have tabled an urgent question on NHS finances, following the health minister’s claim that all health boards have ‘met financial targets’.
While all have been congratulated in a ministerial statement for a ‘remarkable achievement’, three have received bail-outs totalling over 12 million pounds from 2012-13 budgets
The minister had previously made clear all health boards were required to break even and no bail-outs would be allowed.
Leader of the Welsh Conservatives in the Assembly Andrew RT Davies AM question tedhe minister in the Senedd.
Speaking outside the chamber he said:
“At best the Welsh Labour Government’s claims of a ‘remarkable achievement’ are misleading. At worst they are completely false.
“It is more than clear that three health boards have been given last-minute additional funding. It is wrong to claim that all have broken even if money has been brought forward from next year’s budget. This is effectively a loan. It is definitely a bail-out. This kind of ‘Enron economics’ is absolutely unforgiveable.
“The minister staked her reputation on all health boards ending this financial year in the black. This has not happened. The minister staked her reputation on refusing a bail-out for any health board. Three have received one.
“The government’s record-breaking cuts to the Welsh NHS continue to put immense strain and pressure on frontline services and staff, who continue to do an incredible job in very difficult circumstances.
“Even health boards that have balanced their books continue to face a very uncertain future. Those that have not done so face an ever harder year ahead with money already poached from the 2012/13 budget.”
Shadow Minister for Health Darren Millar AM said:
“I am extremely disappointed to see the Welsh Government attempting to cover-up what is a failure to achieve its commitments.
“The only reason these health boards appear to have broken even on paper is because they have been bailed out with millions of pounds of extra funding.
“The minister’s secretive approach to the health service must come to an immediate end and both she and the First Minister must be honest with the National Assembly and with the people of Wales about the impact of their policies across the country.
“The Welsh Labour Government’s record-breaking cuts to the health budget continue to put hospitals and frontline services at risk and the coming financial year will see more tough challenges for every health board.”
