PRESS RELEASE

Assembly Member for Aberconwy, Janet Finch-Saunders, has reaffirmed the case for a comprehensive Keogh-style inquiry into the Welsh NHS. The inquiry by Professor Sir Bruce Keogh was conducted in England following the scandal at Mid-Staffordshire NHS Trust.

Janet said: “The Keogh inquiry identified significant failings in numerous strands of the NHS in England, such as reporting mechanisms and tight financial pressures, which the UK Government have acted to remedy.

“In Wales, we continue to hear stories of: high mortality rates; cancelled operations; reductions in the numbers of hospital beds and; the Welsh Labour Government’s own targets being repeatedly missed. This clearly demonstrates that something is wrong in the NHS in Wales.

“The Welsh Conservatives have called for a Keogh style inquiry into the Health Service to allow for a thorough examination of where there is room for improvement.  This will be a vital first step in identifying the problems and prescribing the remedies needed to fix our NHS.”

ENDS