The way that the One Wales Labour-Plaid Cymru Government is managing the health service has come in for some sustained criticism in recent months, not least the fact that following a substantial reorganisation, not a single senior executive was made redundant. Instead they were either put on gardening leave or redeployed to another job on a protected salary. It has been estimated that this has tied up £4 million in public money that might otherwise be spent on frontline services such as nurses and doctors.
Such stories have struck a chord with the public, so much so that even senior Plaid Cymru figures are starting to wake up to the disquiet their policies are causing. That is evident from the lead story in this morning’s Western Mail in which Plaid’s chief whip, Chris Franks expresses outrage that these senior NHS executives will have their six-figure salaries protected for up to ten years.
He says that there are 120 former NHS directors and managers covered by this scheme. They have been redeployed elsewhere with protected salaries as high as £195,000 a year. This is despite the fact that the Welsh health service has been tasked with containing additional costs of £1.9 billion over the next five years and that most health boards are already facing overspends and having to make cuts to contain them.
As I have indicated, the irony is that Chris Franks, who is attacking his own government over this, maintains group discipline within his side of the government and is a leading member of one of the parties who are responsible for this policy. Does he not see some inconsistency in this position?
When even Plaid Cymru group officers point out that they are not fit for government then you know that it is time for a change.
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Don’t get the point of this – are you saying Chris Franks should shut up about this outrageous state of affairs? If what you say is true, well done to him for speaking out about this situation without worrying about toeing the party line.