Rhun ap Iorwerth has said that simply changing the personnel in the troubled Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board in north Wales “isn’t enough in itself” after it was announced that the Chief Executive of the board, Gary Docherty, would leave his position by the end of the month.

Rhun ap Iorwerth AM and Plaid Cymru shadow minister for health said that after five years in special measures a change in the personnel wouldn’t be enough.

He added that the situation in Betsi was “symptomatic” of a wider problem within the Welsh NHS and that the Labour government should “take responsibility” for its poor performance including A&E waiting times, centralisation and loss of local services.

Mr ap Iorwerth said that the NHS needed “real change” and that it was only Plaid Cymru who could deliver that adding that “patients and staff deserved no less”.

Plaid Cymru AM for North Wales Llyr Gruffydd said that Mr Docherty’s departure was “the right decision” and that the board should have seen “greater improvement in his four years in charge”.

Rhun ap Iorwerth AM and Plaid Cymru shadow minister for health said,

“After five years in special measures, change in personnel in the Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board simply isn’t enough in itself.

“The situation in Betsi is symptomatic of a wider problem impacting our NHS. It is the Labour Welsh Government who are in charge and they must take responsibility for the poor performance, worsening A&E waiting times, centralisation and loss of local services. It has to stop. We need real change and Plaid Cymru can deliver that. Patients and staff deserve no less.”

Plaid Cymru AM for north Wales Llyr Gruffydd added,

“This is the right decision and long overdue. I called for Mr Docherty to go in the Plaid Cymru debate on NHS performance last week and I’m glad to see this has he’s gone. We should have seen greater improvement in his four years in charge.”