South Wales Central Conservative MS Andrew RT Davies has warned Senedd ministers have no excuses to withhold a damning report into sabotage of surgical equipment at Cardiff’s Heath Hospital.
Speaking in the Senedd, Mr Davies warned serious governance failings had created a culture where many staff were unable to speak out.
He demanded that the report is made publicly available.
In response, Eluned Morgan claimed “it’s not unusual for health boards to do internal reviews and for these not to be shared with the Welsh Government or in public board meetings, especially in cases where it could prejudice any disciplinary action”.
She stated she understood disciplinary action has now concluded, and that Senedd ministers have requested a copy of the report. She confirmed they are yet to receive it.
Mr Davies said with no disciplinary proceedings pending, there is no excuse to withhold the report.
He called for it to be released as soon as possible.
Mr Davies said:
“Senedd ministers have deprived our hospitals of funding and oversight for years – Plaid Cymru separatist and Labour plans for 36 more Senedd members were prioritised instead.
“This has led to serious governance failings at the Heath Hospital – putting patients’ safety at risk.
“Now that disciplinary proceedings have concluded – there is no excuse to cover up the report and it must be released.
ENDS
NOTE: Please find below the Senedd’s record of proceedings from Tuesday 27th January
https://record.senedd.wales/Plenary/15728#C743302
Andrew R.T. Davies
14:16:33
Thank you, First Minister, for that answer. Again, the quality journalism at Wales Online has brought forward a report that the health board has kept under wraps in the sterilisation and decontamination unit at that hospital, where a report was finalised in July 2024, when you were health Minister, and it highlighted unacceptable levels of bullying, toxicity, criminal activity with damaging of surgical instruments, and a complete lack of confidence in the management at the university health board to deal with these issues. In fact, you keep talking about the social partnership model that the Labour Party are proud of here in Wales. The trade union reps describe the unit as ‘savage’ and ‘unforgiving’, with some staff unable to speak freely and openly. Are you proud that a health board is running a unit in the premier hospital of Wales in such a manner? And if you aren’t proud of that, what is your Government doing to make sure that these issues are addressed? Will you commit to making sure that report is publicly published, so that constituents who use that hospital can get satisfaction that measures are being taken?
Eluned Morgan
14:17:52
It’s not unusual for health boards to do internal reviews, and for these not to be shared with the Welsh Government, or in public board meetings, especially in cases where it could prejudice any disciplinary action. Now, we understand that disciplinary action has concluded against the individuals related in this report, and we’ve asked the health board to provide us with a copy, and we are yet to receive that. But there is a new chair, a new approach, and we do expect to see improvements in that health board.
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