Failing standards in Welsh NHS normalised under Labour
‘Betsi shows that the Special Measures process is simply not fit for purpose’– Mabon ap Gwynfor MS
Failing standards in the Welsh NHS have become normalised under Labour, Mabon ap Gwynfor MS has said in response to the updated escalation and intervention arrangements for Welsh Health Boards announced by the Welsh Government today (Tuesday 16th December 2025).
Every single health board in Wales remains in some form of escalation and intervention arrangement – with Aneurin Bevan University Health Board escalating from level 3 to level 4.
Mr ap Gwynfor has stated that the situation in Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board shows that the Special Measures process isn’t fit for purpose, with the health board remaining at Level 5 for almost a third year – giving a misleading impression that issues within Betsi haven’t worsened.
Plaid Cymru’s health and social care spokesperson has criticised Labour for their ‘mismanagement’ of the NHS, and says that a Plaid Cymru government will review the special measures framework to that failing standards are ‘no longer accepted.’
Mabon ap Gwynfor MS said:
“Failing standards in our health system have been normalised under Labour. Special measures – a measure of last resort – has become the routine, and it is the people of Wales who are paying the price.
“The Labour Party clearly don’t haven’t the capacity nor the vision to clean up a mess of their own creation. There are no fewer than six individuals on the Labour benches who have held the position of Health Minister at some point over the past 25 years – including two former First Ministers and the current First Minister. The one consistency is their failure to get to grips with the crisis in the NHS.
“This is highlighted in particular by Betsi which is now in extra special measures.
“There appears to be no ceiling to Labour’s mismanagement of our precious health system and Betsi’s situation shows that the Special Measures process is simply not fir for purpose.
“A Plaid Cymru government will review the special measures framework and strengthen the NHS Executive role – so that failing standards in our NHS are no longer accepted. It’s time for new leadership for our health service, to ensure the health service delivers for those who need it.”