Health board 'learned' from £9.4m blunder

WALES' biggest health board says it has "learned" from the events of an historical £9.4m blunder.

- DALE SPRIDGEON

A damning report by Audit Wales had confirmed that accounting errors by Betsi Cadwaladr University Hospital Board happened as a result of identified expenditure of £9.4m being accounted for in 2021/22, when it appeared to relate to 2022/3.

But following probes by NHS Counter Fraud and North Wales Police, no evidence of fraud was found.

Some finance department staff had raised confidential concerns on the recording of transactions through whistle-blowing procedures.

The health board was also made aware of an unauthorised disclosure of an accounting report by EY (Ernst & Young) in mid-May 2023.

The firm had written a scathing report after "significant errors" were identified.

Although the report had been restricted in terms of circulation - received by a small group of people within the health board, Audit Wales and NHS Wales Counter Fraud Service - the disclosure had constituted a breach of data legislation.

The board was also subject to a board effectiveness assessment by Audit Wales, which had reported in February 2023.

Shortly afterwards, the Welsh Government escalated the organisation to a Level 5/Special Measures intervention.