Pa sicrwydd y gall Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet ei roi na chaiff cylch gorchwyl presennol gwaith parhaus HASCAS a Donna Ockenden ei fyrhau gan y Panel Goruchwylio Annibynnol newydd?
All parties involved in both the HASCAS investigation and the Donna Ockendon review are keen to ensure that both processes are concluded in a timely way and that the preparation and publication of the final reports are free from any inappropriate influence.
Given that that both processes are now reaching critical stages, I agreed with Donna Ockendon and HASCAS that the oversight arrangements should now be outwith the health board and other local partner agencies until the conclusion of the processes. The overriding purpose of putting the independent panel in place is to provide additional assurance for affected families and stakeholders of the probity of the work.
As part of their role, the panel needs to assure itself of the integrity, methodology and process of both the investigation and governance review. They will be drawing on independent legal and investigatory expertise if and when they consider this necessary. However, their remit is not to interfere or delay the processes underway– on the contrary - it is to ensure the necessary cooperation and engagement of individuals and partner agencies (including appropriate information sharing) to enable the work to be concluded satisfactorily.
The panel will also support and oversee the process of the preparation and publication of the reports to ensure that no party can exert influence which undermines the integrity and independence of the reports. I would also expect the panel to play an important role in promoting any necessary multi-agency response to the respective reports.
Panel members have been chosen for their extensive experience of working in the Welsh public sector and have had no direct involvement with the health board in the past in relation to any of the issues under investigation and review - which of course relate to period prior to December 2013. We are not aware of any conflicts of interest which would undermine the independence of their role on the oversight panel.
As you will be aware from the Ministerial Statements made about the support to BCU under the special measures arrangements, Helen Bennett (an employee of Hafal and a respected mental health practitioner) was appointed for a short period last year to support the work underway to improve mental health services in BCU. At no time was there any contact or involvement with the Ockenden review or HASCAS investigations. Helen has also declared her ongoing work in North Wales as part of her role in Hafal and with the South Wales Police and Crime Commissioner on the mental health crisis care concordat.
Given their extensive experience at the most senior level of public life it is inevitable they will have previously worked with Welsh Government at a strategic level, both formally and informally. Some of their previous work is detailed in my letter to the families and this is what makes them very well placed to undertake their role.