Following the announcement that Jo Whitehead is to retire as Chief Executive of Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board at the end of the year, Janet Finch-Saunders, Member of the Welsh Parliament for Aberconwy has publicly thanked the Chief Executive for her work.
Commenting on the Chief Executive’s decision to retire, Janet said:
“Jo Whitehead should be proud of the fact that she guided the Health Board through the pandemic. Whilst there were some problems locally, such as the difficulties for residents attending the Argyll Road vaccination centre, the vaccine rollout has been a huge success.
“I remember first meeting Jo, and it was clear to me then, as it has been throughout her leadership of the Health Board, that her heart is in the right place.
“Many will know that I actively campaign to see services boosted at and returned to Llandudno Hospital. Well, it is during Jo’s tenure that we have seen the largest progress made in reversing the years of decline. We have had a bridging service based here, seen an operating theatre re-commence work, and a pledge made to open a new multi-million-pound stroke unit!
“Clearly, I am already pushing the Welsh Government and the Chief Executive for even more services to be offered at Llandudno as it can reduce pressure of Glan Clwyd, Wrexham Maelor, and Gwynedd.
“I wish Jo all the best with her retirement. She will be passing on the most difficult to handle baton in North Wales. I hope that her replacement will also understand and take steps to deliver on the potential Llandudno Hospital has to offer as part of a strategy to tackle the well-known problems across the Health Board”.
ENDS
Yn dilyn y cyhoeddiad bod Jo Whitehead yn ymddeol fel Prif Weithredwr Bwrdd Iechyd Prifysgol Betsi Cadwaladr ddiwedd y flwyddyn, mae Janet Finch-Saunders, yr Aelod o'r Senedd dros Aberconwy, wedi diolch yn gyhoeddus i'r Prif Weithredwr am ei gwaith.
Wrth sôn am benderfyniad y Prif Weithredwr i ymddeol, dywedodd Janet:
“Dylai Jo Whitehead ymfalchïo yn y ffaith iddi arwain y Bwrdd Iechyd drwy'r pandemig. Er y cafwyd ambell i broblem leol, fel yr anawsterau i drigolion fynychu canolfan frechu Ffordd Argyll, mae cyflwyno'r brechlyn wedi bod yn llwyddiant ysgubol.
“Dwi'n cofio cyfarfod Jo am y tro cyntaf, ac roedd hi'n amlwg i mi bryd hynny, fel ag y bu gydol ei harweinyddiaeth o'r Bwrdd Iechyd, bod ei chalon yn y lle iawn.
“Byddwch yn gwybod fy mod i'n ymgyrchu'n frwd dros gynyddu gwasanaethau Ysbyty Llandudno ac ailgyflwyno gwasanaethau yno. Wel, yn ystod cyfnod Jo y gwelsom y cynnydd mwyaf o ran gwyrdroi'r blynyddoedd o ddirywiad. Mae gwasanaeth pontio wedi'i leoli yma erbyn hyn, mae'r theatr llawdriniaethau wedi ailagor, ac mae yna addewid i agor uned strôc newydd gwerth miliynau o bunnoedd!
“Yn amlwg, dwi eisoes yn rhoi pwysau ar Lywodraeth Cymru a'r Prif Weithredwr i gynnig hyd yn oed fwy o wasanaethau yn Llandudno er mwyn lleihau'r pwysau ar ysbytai Glan Clwyd, Maelor Wrecsam, a Gwynedd.
“Rwy'n dymuno'r gorau i Jo gyda'i hymddeoliad. Fe fydd hi'n trosglwyddo'r awenau anoddaf yn y Gogledd. Gobeithio y bydd y prif weithredwr newydd hefyd yn deall potensial Ysbyty Llandudno fel rhan o strategaeth i fynd i'r afael â phroblemau amlwg ar draws y Bwrdd Iechyd ac yn mynd ati i wireddu’r potensial hwnnw".
DIWEDD
