Kirsty Williams
Following today’s launch of a Health and Social Care Committee report Kirsty Williams, leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, has called for a review into the remit and functions of Healthcare Inspectorate Wales (HIW).
The report, which looked into the work of HIW, states that: “the committee did not receive the assurances it wanted to hear about the role of HIW in ensuring that healthcare providers are examined properly, meet basic standards, and face sufficient intervention when basic standards are not met.” The report recommends that: “the Welsh Government should undertake a fundamental review of HIW to reform, develop and improve its regulatory and inspection functions.”
Commenting Kirsty said:
“This is a damning report. I am deeply concerned that the current system of inspection in Wales is not fit for purpose. We need a robust, proactive and independent system of inspections in our hospitals and I do not feel the current system provides that. Many hospitals are not being regularly and routinely inspected. Successive governments have added functions over time which has made it difficult to focus on the key role of inspection.”
“I specifically asked Healthcare Inspectorate Wales when they gave evidence to the Health Committee if they could assure me that if we had a Mid Staff type situation in Wales, HIW would know. They said they could not give me that assurance.
“Clearly this is not a situation that can continue. We need a hospital inspection system that keeps the people of Wales safe. The Welsh Labour Government needs to respond to this report and it needs to respond quickly.”
