NHS bodies have “clear digital ambitions” but delivery needs to improve to ensure better services and value for money, according to Audit Wales.

Wales’ Auditor General, Catherine Mealing-Jones, briefed Senedd Members on NHS digital transformation alongside her Audit Wales colleagues on 28 September.

Speaking in a Public Accounts Committee meeting, Ms Mealing-Jones said Audit Wales had examined how the 12 health bodies in Wales are using "digital transformation" to improve services.

She said their examinations had looked at NHS digital strategies, leadership, workforce capability and investment planning as well as managing risks associated with digital infrastructure, cyber resilience and the increasing use of AI.

Audit manager Darren Griffiths told the committee that while NHS bodies have “clear digital ambitions”, most have “not yet translated them into costed delivery plans with clear actions, responsibilities and success measures”.

He said not all have assessed their digital maturity, meaning “some bodies do not fully understand their starting point or the scale of change required”.

Mr Griffiths said: “Without clear delivery plans and robust benefit management arrangements, a digital ambition may not deliver better services or value for money.”

Plaid Cymru MS Carrie Harper quizzed the Audit Wales staff on where they believe “responsibility and accountability” sits for the lack of delivery.

She asked if the fault lies with the individual health boards, Digital Health and Care Wales, or the Welsh Government.

Noting that all three play a role, audit lead Nathan Couch responded: “At the local level, health boards are responsible for the digital programmes and things that they implement locally.

“At a national level, it's the Welsh Government and DHCW who are responsible for the rollout and delivery of national digital programmes, in conjunction with the health boards as well”.

Mr Couch said there was a “lack of clarity around the roles and responsibilities of each party.”