Row over 'no' to NHS cash probe

Edwina Hart was responding to a written question from Kirsty Williams (right)

The Liberal Democrats say they are "appalled" the Welsh health minister has refused to look into claims that £1bn of NHS cash is being poorly spent.

Last month, a NHS official told an committee a fifth of the £5bn annual health budget was not used correctly.

Welsh Lib Dem leader Kirsty Williams is "angry and astonished" Edwina Hart rejected calls for an investigation with a one word written response, "No".

The assembly government said health boards should live within their means.

The exchange came after Paul Davies, of the All Wales Directors of NHS, last month told the assembly finance committee "there's £1bn that we're not utilising appropriately".

He said: "Far too many patients end up in the wrong place, either being hospitalised when they shouldn't be, or they stay in hospital too long, or they stay in primary care, and they should be in hospital.

"All these mistakes... [are] extremely costly, very expensive."

Ms Williams submitted a written question to Ms Hart asking if she would investigate.

The exchange was recorded as:

Kirsty Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire): Does the Minister intend to investigate the claim made in evidence given to the Finance Committee that up to a fifth of the NHS's budget may not be being spent efficiently.

Edwina Hart: No.

Ms Williams said: "I am absolutely appalled by the health minister's reluctance to investigate these assertions. We are not talking about a few pound coins down the back of the sofa.

"We are talking about a billion pounds of public money being misspent in one of the most important areas of Welsh life.

"We all know that public spending is due to come under intense pressure in the next few years and the health minister's reluctance to even look into the claim that a billion pounds is not being effectively spent is shocking.

"Every million pounds, let alone every billion pounds must be working to the direct benefit of Welsh patients."

Ms Hart has been asked to respond.