Written question WQ94285

Health boards are responsible for planning and delivering services which ensure there is sufficient capacity to meet the needs of the communities they serve.

In some instances, it may be necessary for health boards to seek support or commission additional activity from another health board, or an external provider to ensure patients can access the timely treatment they require. This may be in the form of insourcing or by transferring patients to another health facility (outsourcing).

Any arrangements carried out with external providers must have the appropriate governance arrangements in place to ensure the quality and effectiveness of the services is ensured and monitored. This monitoring includes the review of the quality of the service provision and timeliness of access.

At its Board meeting In July 2024, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board agreed contracts for insourcing and outsourcing for endoscopy, diagnostics and dermatology.