Welsh government held to account by Audit Committee’s 170 recommendations

The National Assembly for Wales Audit Committee today released its annual report ‘a review of the year 2007-08’.

And the report reveals that the Committee made a staggering 170 recommendations to the Welsh government during the 16 months covered by the report, all of which were accepted by the Welsh Ministers.

The Committee published 13 reports examining the efficiency and effectiveness of the delivery of Welsh Assembly Government policies across a wide range of areas.  

“The Audit Committee is dedicated to unpicking the complex issues affecting the delivery of the Welsh Government’s policies in Wales,” said committee chair, Jonathan Morgan AM, said

“It is of vital importance to the citizens of Wales that the policies designed to improve public services are delivered efficiently, effectively and with value for money at the heart of the governance of Wales.

“During the last year, the Audit Committee has made several recommendations to the NHS in Wales including ones designed to reduce bed blocking and others that will help to slow the spread of healthcare associated infections such as MRSA.

“Other recommendations have emerged from the Committee’s examination of the LG projects in Newport where the collapse of the company involved led to the loss of public money.  The Committee was able to highlight several key areas that should be strengthened by the Welsh Government in order to reduce the risk to public money used in future projects.

“The Committee will continue to hold the Welsh Government to account and examine in detail the issues that are so important to the citizens of Wales.”

The Audit Committee is currently undertaking inquiries into violence and aggression towards NHS staff and Ambulance Services in Wales.  Reports on the findings of both inquiries are expected to be published by the end of the Summer term.