HYWEL Dda Health Board is one of three organisations that has failed to submit a three year improvement plan but has “demonstrated considerable progress”.

Health Minister Mark Drakeford issued an update on the planning framework that requires health boards and NHS trusts to set out how resources will be used to address health need, improve the quality of care and ensure best value over a three years.

Hywel Dda University Health Board, along with Betsi Cadwaladr and the ambulance service had yet to comply he said.

In his statement Professor Drakeford said that planning arrangements had been strengthened over the last 12 months and health organisation plans would only be approved following “robust, board-level scrutiny and approval”.

It would also require him to be “satisfied that it meets the requirements set out in the framework”.

He said Hywel Dda, along with the other two bodies, had “concluded they are unable to submit robust integrated medium term plans at this point in time”.

Adding: “Hywel Dda University Health Board has demonstrated considerable progress in planning over the course of the last year and a coherent plan has emerged under the new leadership team. It will continue to work on developing its plans over the course of this financial year.”

All three bodies will agree a one-year plan reflecting “key deliverables” for this year as well as “milestones” as part of ongoing development of medium-term proposals.

Abertawe Bro Morgannwg and Cardiff and Vale boards have been given more time to work on the details.

The five approved plans have been submitted by Cwm Taf, Aneurin Bevan and Powys Teaching local health boards, along with Public Health Wales and Velindre NHS Trust.

Hywel Dda University Health Board chief executive Steve Moore said: “All our staff, from those delivering patient care and support on the frontline to those in back office functions, have been working extremely hard to deliver services locally during challenging times for the NHS. We are pleased that the Health Minister has recognised progress in our planning and we acknowledge there is further work to be done to agree deliverables for this year and strengthen and test our future plans.”

Preseli Pembrokeshire Assembly Member Paul Davies has criticised the lack of health board three year plan. 
 
Mr Davies said: “I’m disappointed that Hywel Dda health board has failed to submit its improvement plan for the medium term. In the wake of such controversial reorganisation plans, the people of Pembrokeshire have the right to know exactly what the health board is planning for the near future.”
 
He added: "The Minister tells us that the health board is making considerable progress, but I have to say, many across Pembrokeshire would extremely disagree. I continue to receive representations from constituents across the County regarding problems within our local health services, and those problems need to be addressed. The health board and the Welsh Government need to wake up and confront the challenges facing services in west Wales head on.”