Chief Executive Andy Williams Resigns 18/6/07
Today Andy Williams has resigned as Chief Executive of Powys LHB. This has come as no surprise to community hospital campaigners who were aware of the mounting pressure he was under since the chaos of the Welsh Assembly election.
SPH thinks it was right for him to resign and respects his decision (though where the exact influences came from is not yet known). We feel the past few years have shown that Andy Williams cannot be trusted as a negotiator or leader, as he has repeatedly gone back on his word. He has been too focused on outside agendas for change, failing to listen and act on exciting care innovations developed locally. Rubbishing our hospitals and disrespecting the campaigning public was bound to lead to a backlash...
SPH recognises that this resignation in no way means the fight to save Powys Hospitals is over and ultimately it may cause more problems than it solves. However, let's hope this can be the start of a fresh approach with listening and involvement of all interested parties. New term, new approach, new respect?
Immediate comment from John Wilden (Save Llanidloes Hospital Action Group Chair):
"Andy Williams is a sharp guy. He has been under tremendous pressure over the past few months and though we had our differences I am quite saddened by news of his resignation. He knew our history and were we wanted to go and starting afresh now may prove difficult. We all thought his attitude to Llanidloes Hospital was beginning to mellow - how far we will never know."
Immediate comment from Cllr. William Powell (Black Mountains Area Health Action Group):
"As Andy Williams leaves Mansion House for the last time, we must wish him well in his future challenges. The LHB must now engage in a more consistent and transparent way with our communities. "Doing More, Doing Better" has caused a real fracture of trust and that will naturally take time to heal. BMAHAG members will work with all people and organisations, in good faith, to develop our local health services."
Immediate comment from Jonathon Morgan (BACH Chair):
"Taken together with Rhodri Morgan's announcement halting the LHB's sham public consultation in it's tracks, this is definitely first blood to BACH and all the other groups up and down rural Wales fighting to hold onto their Cottage Hospitals.
They didn't want it to be an election issue - but we made it one, and they've had to take some notice.
And now they've realised that no further progress will be made in Powys if they try to get communities to negotiate with the man who's been stabbing them in the back all these months."
BACH's response ...... "IT'S ABOUT TIME TOO!"
BBC News Report