Betsi Cadwaladr: Families blame deaths on health board inaction

Speaking anonymously to BBC Wales, a former independent member of the health board said they tried to scrutinise mental health services before being ousted.

“Ben and Dawn’s deaths were completely avoidable,” they said.

“The response to these reports would be incredibly frustrating.”

They said the improvement plan following the two reports in 2018 was “incredibly unwieldy” and did not address the recommendations.

“When this was challenged we’d get lots of waffle about ‘ah well, it’s very complicated and we’re doing this and this’.”

They added there was “constant tension” between the independent colleagues and some executives who would “resist” operational input.

An Audit Wales report concluded the executive team on the health board was “dysfunctional“.

“There were some executives who worked really well with independent board members, but there was a small number of the executives who resented input and wouldn’t inform us about things,” the former board member said.

“They would blatantly disregard a request for information.”

A new group of independent members has since been appointed.