Ffigurau'r System Genedlaethol ar gyfer Adrodd a Dysgu

30 June 2022

Dear             ,

ATISN 16368 – Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board NRLS figures

Thank you for your request to the Welsh Government for information under the Freedom of Information Act (2000) (FOIA) received on 31 May 2022 relating to Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board. I have interpreted your request to be asking for copies of:

1. The NR and LS figures for all health authorities
2. Any information which indicates that BCUHB have under reported PSOWs complaints
3. Information on the implementation of the Holden recommendations

           Additionally, you also requested the following on 10 June 2022,

4. the average Number of NR&LS Severe and Death Incidents (per 100k population) reported in the last ten years, by year.
5. the same NR&LS averages (per 100k population) year for England.

Our Response

As previously mentioned, the FOIA provides the public with a right to request recorded information which is held by a public authority at the time the request is made. However, the Act does not require us to share our opinion on matters.  

1. THE NS and LS figures for all health authorities

Until 31 March 2022, statistics relating to the National Reporting and Learning System for Wales have been published on statswales and can be accessed from the following link: Patient safety | GOV.WALES

Never Event reports are produced by the NHS Delivery Unit and can found here with the most recent report covering data to 2020 – 2021.

2. Any information which indicates that BCUHB have under reported PSOWs complaints

I attach a letter from Audit Wales to the Chief Executive of Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board setting out their analysis of the reporting of the PSOWs complaints.

They conclude:

As a result of the above we are satisfied that there has been no deliberate under reporting by the Health Board of the number of complaints received by the PSOW. However, there is an obvious need to strengthen the arrangements that underpin the Health Board’s annual reporting in respect of these figures, with some relatively simple solutions to achieve that.

3. Information on the implementation of the Holden recommendations

The summary report, including the recommendations from the Holden Report were issued to the health board in 2013 and the health board accepted the recommendations for improvement at that time. The health board commissioned considerable work to ensure the Holden report recommendations have been implemented. This was reported to the health board’s Quality, Safety and Experience Committee in January 2021 and has provided assurance that action was taken and remains in place against the recommendations in the report.

4. the average Number of NR&LS Severe and Death Incidents (per 100k population) reported in the last ten years, by year.

Statistics relating to the National Reporting and Learning System for Wales can be accessed from the following link: Patient safety | GOV.WALES

5. the same NR&LS averages (per 100k population) year for England.

Statistics relating to the National Reporting and Learning System for England can be accessed from the following link: NRLS Reporting

Next steps

If you are dissatisfied with the Welsh Government’s handling of your request, you can ask for an internal review within 40 working days of the date of this response. Requests for an internal review should be addressed to the Welsh Government’s Freedom of Information Officer at:

Information Rights Unit 
Welsh Government 
Cathays Park 
Cardiff 
CF10 3NQ

Or e-mail: Freedom.ofinformation@gov.wales

Please remember to quote the ATISN reference number above.   

You also have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner. The Information Commissioner can be contacted at: 

Information Commissioner’s Office 
Wycliffe House 
Water Lane 
Wilmslow 
Cheshire
SK9 5AF

However, please note that the Commissioner will not normally investigate a complaint until it has been through our own internal review process.

Yours sincerely