Meetings

6.1 The Committee considered the evidence received.

Wales Audit Office Briefing

Allison Williams - Chief Executive, Cwm Taf University Health Board

Ruth Treharne – Director of Planning and Performance, Cwm Taf University Health Board

4.1 The Committee took evidence from Allison Williams, Chief Executive, Cwm Taf University Health Board and Ruth Treharne, Director of Planning and Performance, Cwm Taf University Health Board on its inquiry into NHS Waiting Times and Key Performance Targets.

4.2 Allison Williams agreed to provide:

·       The Health Board’s latest report showing the trajectories month on month together with the percentage of patients who have missed targets

·       A copy of the Health Board’s current three-year plan

·       Templates of all the appointment letters issued to patients

·       A note on Ophthalmology services within the Health Board

·       A note on how patients, currently waiting for treatment, who move into the Health Board’s area from outside of Wales, are added to waiting lists so as not to be disadvantaged

·       A note on the timescale for the audit work being undertaken on long-term follow up patients (follow ups not booked patients)

Wales Audit Office Briefing

Peter Meredith-Smith - Director of the Board of Community Health Councils in Wales

Mary Williams -Chair, Cwm Taf Community Health Council

Dr Paul Worthington - Chief Officer, Cwm Taf Community Health Council

3.1 The Committee took evidence from Peter Meredith-Smith, Director of the Board of Community Health Councils in Wales, Mary Williams, Chair, Cwm Taf Community Health Council and Dr Paul Worthington, Chief Officer, Cwm Taf Community Health Council on its inquiry into NHS Waiting Times and Key Performance Targets.

2.1 Peter Meredith-Smith agreed to provide details of the number of complaints related to communication and patients coming to harm where their appointment have been rescheduled across Wales and a summary, by CHC, of the number of issues raised by information,  concern and complaint

6.1     The Committee considered the Welsh Government’s response to the Auditor General for Wales’ report on NHS Waiting Times and agreed to invite the Chair of a Community Health Council and a Health Board to provide oral evidence at a future meeting.

6.2     The Chair agreed to write to Dr Andrew Goodall to inquire about the timetable for implementing the agreed recommendations as set out in his letter.

PAC(4)-03-15 Paper 1 - NHS Waiting Times for Elective Care in Wales

PAC(4)-03-15 Paper 2 - NHS Waiting Times for Elective Care in Wales: Technical Report

4.1 The Wales Audit Office briefed Members on their report.

4.2 Following publication and consideration of the report the Committee agreed to take further evidence from stakeholders.

4.3 The Wales Audit Office agreed to check if a breakdown of out-patients not attending was available.

7.1 The Committee discussed the evidence received and agreed that the Chair would write to Dr Goodall seeking clarification on a number of issues raised.

7.2 The Committee noted that the Auditor General for Wales’ report on Waiting Times is due to be published shortly and agreed to consider that before reporting.

PAC(4)-28-14 paper 3

Research Brief

Dr Andrew Goodall – Director General, Health and Social Services and Chief Executive of NHS Wales, Welsh Government

Simon Dean, Deputy Chief Executive, NHS Wales, Welsh Government

Martin Sollis, Director of Finance, Welsh Government

5.1 The Committee scrutinised Dr Andrew Goodall, Director General, Health and Social Services and Chief Executive of NHS Wales, Simon Dean, Deputy Chief Executive NHS Wales, and Martin Sollis, Welsh Government on Health Finances 2013-14.

5.2 Dr Goodall agreed to provide a note on:

·       The Cochrane Centre for meta analysis (2012) conclusion that the treatment in the borderline range of blood pressure is more likely to harm patients than help them except in the case of diabetes and is one of the quality and outcome framework contracts for GPs

·       How rurality is being catered for in any future allocation of resources

·       Medicines management

·       How the Welsh Government holds health boards to account in delivery against the prudent healthcare objective

·       Working with workforce directors in Wales, outline their approach to disciplinary policies and how the process can be speeded up

PAC(4)-28-14 paper 2

2.1 The Auditor General for Wales gave a brief overview of the main findings of his report to Members.