North Wales (East and Central)

Noted (AI summary) The Welsh Government acknowledges the serious ambulance delays and systemic issues in North Wales, detailing ongoing efforts like providing additional financial and expert support to Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board. An expert team has been announced to focus on reducing ambulance handover delays, improving patient flow, and strengthening governance.

Noted (AI summary) The Welsh Government outlines its role in setting the strategic context for health services and holding NHS organisations accountable, noting that all health boards are in escalation for urgent and emergency care. They mention providing additional funding to Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board and supporting improvement programs, but do not commit to specific changes in response to the report.

Noted (AI summary) The Welsh Ambulance Services University NHS Trust acknowledges concerns about ambulance delays and the MPDS system but states it is not the primary authority to take action, offering to meet to discuss the response in more detail and welcomes suggestions for actions they might take with partners.

Noted (AI summary) BOC apologizes for the late response, explains the regulatory background, and requests an extension to provide further information. BOC claims they did not receive the report until late June.

Noted (AI summary) The Charity Commission acknowledges the report and states they are closely examining the concerns as part of their ongoing engagement with The Scout Association. They will be meeting with TSA again to discuss improvements and will take further regulatory action if needed. The Minister for Education and Welsh Language has noted the recommendations and passed them on to Welsh Government officials, noting that the UK Government is best placed to respond to the recommendation for a Public Inquiry into the Scout Association. The Children's Commissioner for Wales will seek updates from the Scouts Association and will share the PFD report with Estyn, who are expanding their inspections framework to include youth work. The Children's Commissioner will request updates from the Scouts Association by April 30th regarding actions to prevent future deaths/injuries. They have also called for Ofsted to play a larger role in assuring safety in youth work organisations. The Department for Education acknowledges the concerns raised, expresses condolences, and references existing guidance related to safeguarding and activity licensing but commits to no specific new actions. HSE will begin an investigation into Ben’s death and will also look at how they intervene generally with volunteering organisations that provide activities to young people such as the Scout Association to identify lessons for the future regulation of this sector. HSE will undertake a review to identify how this error occurred, and to ensure that it is not repeated and will be writing directly to Ben’s family to offer them an apology. The Scouts Association details actions taken including updating POR (Policy, Organisation and Rules), developing new training modules ('Growing Roots'), creating a new safety committee, and updating risk assessment processes. They also describe planned reviews and consultations. Unity Insurance Services acknowledges receipt of the report and expresses sympathy, noting they are working with insurers and The Scout Association to support customers, and clarifying a factual inaccuracy regarding the chair in 2018.