THE MS for Vale of Clwyd, Gareth Davies, has called for the resignation of the sacking of Welsh health minister, Eluned Morgan.

In February, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board was placed back into special measures by Welsh Government, meaning it has direct control of the board.

The chair of the board, Mark Polin, along with his independent board members, resigned and were replaced with new board members in an effort to turn around the fortunes of the board.

In a speech in Senedd, Mr Davies said: "The Vale of Clwyd is more than a constituency to me.

“I have lived in Rhyl, Prestatyn, and Denbigh all of my life, and was born in St Asaph. I deeply care about the issues that affect my people including the performance of the local health board.

“When I have bought issues affecting local people to the Senedd, I believe my issues have been belittled and patronised by the health minister when trying to discuss important issues affecting my constituents.

“The number one pledge I had on my election leaflets and on the campaign (for the Senedd elections), my number one priority was that I will hold the Welsh Government to account over some of the failures of Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, and have tried to project these issues in the Senedd to the best of my ability."

Mr Davies worked for the health Board for eleven years between 2010 and 2021.

He added: "I went into politics as I believe that the transferable skills I acquired in working on the frontline of the NHS could help change things and influence decisions that are made in Cardiff Bay.

“I don't believe the health minister has taken her role seriously in the two years she has been in post and call on the First Minister, Mark Drakeford, to do the right thing by the people of North Wales and replace the health minister with someone who is competent to do the job."

Ms Morgan survived a vote of confidence by 29 votes to 26 in the Senedd.

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Speaking after the vote, Mr Davies concluded: “I'm aware the health minister has survived the vote.

“But I hope, as a consolation, that this drives a strong message directly to the heart of the health minister and Welsh Government that they must 'up their game' and take the issues of local people seriously in the Senedd.

“If she can't guarantee that, she must resign or be sacked."

Responding, Ms Morgan said: “It's not an easy job being health minister after a pandemic when waiting lists went soaring everywhere and Tory austerity left our public services fragile and our older sicker and poorer population were left more desperate than ever.

“But I'm committed to delivering the best possible health service for the people of Wales, and I'm determined to support our health and care staff, who are under so much pressure as they deliver life-saving and life-changing care and treatment.

“I wake up every morning worrying about the man who's been waiting for a hip operation, the woman who needs asthma treatment, the child who needs reconstructive surgery.

“I work tirelessly with my colleagues to ensure that the Welsh NHS provides high-quality, safe and effective care whenever possible.

“But chronic underfunding of this precious institution, caused by Tory mismanagement of our public finances, makes this extremely difficult.

“I'm disappointed that the health service is once again being used as a political football in this chamber; disappointed at attempts to gain political capital from serious issues involving Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board; disappointed but not surprised that the Tories have chosen to launch this attack on me today, when on the day I put Betsi into special measures, I was assured by the Conservatives that they would not be calling for my resignation.”