June 25, 2026 - 153 views
Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board has approved a multi-million-pound investment of up to £6.65 million to strengthen staffing across its three Emergency Departments.
The recurrent funding will support the recruitment of permanent doctors, nurses and healthcare support workers, with the aim of reducing reliance on bank, locum and agency staff.
Health bosses say the investment will help create a more stable and skilled workforce, improving the ability of Emergency Departments to manage demand, deliver more timely assessment and treatment, and provide more consistent and dignified care for patients.
The Board said the move would also help improve staff morale and wellbeing, with many emergency department workers currently facing sustained pressure, fatigue and burnout due to high levels of demand.
Chief Executive Carol Shillabeer paid tribute to frontline staff, praising their commitment to patient care in what she described as incredibly challenging circumstances.
She said the Board remained committed to supporting staff while working to stabilise emergency care services across North Wales.
The investment follows the approval of a detailed business case examining the sustainability of current staffing arrangements.
However, health leaders stressed that while the funding represents a significant step forward, it will not by itself resolve the wider pressures facing Emergency Departments.
They said ongoing challenges such as delayed patient flow, limited capacity in other parts of the health and social care system, prolonged ambulance handovers and overcrowding in EDs continue to drive waiting times.
The Health Board said it will continue working with partners across the system to address these underlying issues and improve urgent and emergency care services for patients across the region.
