Cardiff and Vale University Health Board

Jeremy Miles, the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, has announced changes in the escalation status of a number of NHS Wales organisations https://www.gov.wales/written-statement-escalation-and-intervention-arrangements-6

In March 2025 Cardiff and Vale University Health Board was at Level 4 for finance, strategy and planning. This has now been extended to the whole organisation, following concerns relating to performance, quality, financial pressures, culture and operational service issues.

The Cabinet Secretary stated "Over the last 18 months, the Cardiff and Vale University Health Board has reported an increasing financial deficit and has breached its duty to agree a three-year balanced plan. It has the second largest number of people waiting more than two years for treatment.

"These issues are concerning and are indicative of an organisation which needs additional support. I am today escalating Cardiff and Vale University Health Board to level four. This will enable us to support the health board to develop and implement the necessary improvements". 

 Photo: Home - Cardiff and Vale University Health Board

Suzanne Rankin, CEO of Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, said: “Whilst we are disappointed with the expanded scope of the intervention, we do acknowledge the status and factors contributing to it, alongside our accountabilities.

“We are committed to working with colleagues and partners across the system to make the improvements required to achieve de-escalation and an established improvement trajectory.

“Ensuring patients who are waiting the longest can access timely care has, and remains, a priority and concerted efforts will continue. As ever, the key priorities remain the safety and quality of care provided to patients, colleagues and the communities of Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan. By working together in an efficient, productive and sustainable way, we know that sustained improvement leading to de-escalation is possible.”

An insight into the life-changing and life-saving work of the surgeons and medical teams at the University Hospital of Wales, the largest hospital in Wales, can be seen in the documentary series Saving Lives in Cardiff - BBC iPlayer.