£1,763,245.17 has been overpaid by Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board to its staff between March 2020 and April 2022.
The figure was disclosed by the troubled Health Board to Janet Finch-Saunders, Member for the Welsh Parliament for Aberconwy. Her freedom of information request also disclosed that almost half a million pounds, £471,116.31, is yet to be reclaimed.
The Health Board has advised that all overpayments are reclaimed and in some cases are repaid in line with agreed payment plans over time.
This latest financial scandal follows a series of incidents at the Health Board which bring into question standards of leadership, governance, and financial management. For example, the finding by Audit Wales that £122 million was not properly accounted for.
Commenting on the overpayments made, Janet said:
“My finding that almost £1.8 million of tax payers money has been spent on overpayments to staff highlights even broader financial concerns than those raised by Audit Wales.
“Welsh Conservative colleagues and I have made clear to the Senedd that there needs to be an independent review of the financial practices at the Health Board. This new evidence proves again why those calls are correct and should be acted upon.
“I urge the Minister for Health and Social Services to cooperate with the Chair and Interim Chief Executive of the Health Board with the aim of ensuring that the public are provided with answers. Answers as to how the massive overpayments have been allowed; why around half a million remains to be returned; and what safeguards will be put in place to stop this situation arising again.”
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