KEY individuals named in an unreleased scathing report over financial dealings at BCUHB have been suspended.

That is according to Eluned Morgan, Minister for Health and Social Services of Wales.

Ms Morgan made the comments on May 24 in the Senedd after Clwyd West MS, Darren Millar, challenged her over the damming Ernst and Young (EY) report.

Mr Millar, who said he was given an anonymous copy of the report, said the findings include "false accounting and the manipulation of documents, which amount to fraud".

He said: "These were done in the knowledge of senior members of staff at the health board, including the chief executive and the Finance Director. The junior staff who pushed back against these appalling practices were overruled by their superiors and there, then, were deliberate efforts to hide those actions from Audit Wales and the forensic investigators from Ernst and Young. It absolutely stinks."

Mr Morgan commented that she was one of the few people who had early access to the report. 

She agreed the document makes "extremely sobering reading which absolutely needs to be acted upon."

She added: "This is not our report so I can't ask for it to be published. It was a report commissioned by the health board and they have to determined what they are going to do.

"I have spoken to both the interim chief executive and the chair of the health board on the action that will be undertaken as a result of this report, and they have both reassured me that the health board is progressing. The management of the issues that are raised in the EY report in line with their existing procedures and policy. My concern throughout has been that I don't want to do anything that compromises or prejudices in anyway the ability of the board to pursue the action that they should or need to do."

She added: "My understanding is that the key individuals named in this report have been suspended. Clearly they have legal employment rights and they key thing to me we have got to follow the right process so any system that is followed is not undermined." 

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Mr Millar criticised the Minister for not acting sooner, given that she was given a copy of the report four months ago.

On May 24, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak admitted he was deeply worried about Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB).

Mr Sunak made the comment after Clwyd West MP, David Jones, raised the issue of report with the Prime Minister at PMQs. 

A spokesman for the health board commented on Monday: "The management of the issues raised in the Ernst and Young report is progressing in line with existing procedures and policies. It is inappropriate to comment on the status of any employees at this stage." 

No updated statement has been issued from the health board.