Minister denies trying to ‘gag’ health board critics

WALES’ health minister has denied trying to place a “gagging order” on critics of the health board for North Wales.

The accusation against Eluned Morgan was made after she cautioned Senedd members to choose their words carefully when discussing the performance of Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board.

Speaking in the Welsh Parliament, Ms Morgan claimed negative comments were making it more difficult to recruit NHS staff in the region.

It followed several politicians highlighting the extent of waiting times at the three main hospitals in the area.

The minister responded by stating she was giving “lots of attention” to healthcare in North Wales.

However, Ms Morgan told members constant negativity about the health board was adding to issues.

She said: “Of course you can hold me to account, of course we need to hold the health board to account, but just understand that there is a consequence to this constant criticism.”

Conservative MS for Clwyd West Darren Millar said he agreed NHS workers deserved praise.

But he said it was also important to scrutinise the health board’s performance and accused Ms Morgan of trying to silence its critics.

He said: “We have to have honest discussions, and that means calling out when the health board is failing.

“We adore the hard-working staff in our NHS in North Wales. We’re constantly praising them.

“But you can’t expect us to have a gagging order from you about not calling out bad practice.”

Ms Morgan denied trying to stifle debate.

She said: “I was very careful in what I said then. I can assure you there is no gagging order from me.”

Ms Morgan said £1bn was being invested in an attempt to clear the treatment backlog across Wales.

She also insisted that the pandemic was the main cause behind the rise in patients on waiting lists.