THE Welsh Government has come under fire after it emerged the Welsh NHS was set to record its biggest overspend in history with Hywel Dda Health Board responsible for over 40 per cent of it.

Figures show that there will be an overspend of almost £163m in the Welsh NHS with four health boards, including Hywel Dda and Betsi Cadwaladr, responsible for the massive figure.

Hywel Dda alone is expecting to overspend by almost £70m by the end of the financial year.

The Welsh Conservatives have criticised the Labour Welsh Government’s handling of the NHS and its finances.

But the Welsh Government said despite its concerns over the finances of Hywel Dda and Betsi Cadwaladar, efforts were being made to ensure sufficient funding was available and that budgets would be met.

A spokesperson said: “Investment in our NHS is at a record high and Wales already spends considerably more on health and social care per head than in England.

“We are also investing an additional £550m over the next two years, including £100m to help transform the way health and social services are delivered.

“We have been open about our concerns at the failure of Hywel Dda and Betsi Cadwaladr to keep within their control totals.

“Both organisations are forecasting they will overshoot their totals this year, although we have contained these additional overspends within the overall health budget.

“We are managing the challenges within these organisations through our escalation and intervention process.”

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