Former Cwm Taf CEO paid £131,000 after maternity scandal resignation
The former chief executive of a scandal-hit health board was paid £131,000 following her resignation.
The details of the payment to Allison Williams were revealed in the health board's latest accounts, due to be discussed by the board on Monday.
Ms Williams, who was chief executive of Cwm Taf until she stepped down in August 2019, faced calls to resign after systemic failures were uncovered in the maternity units of two major hospitals.
Concerns were first raised in October 2018, when the health board said 43 cases at Prince Charles Hospital in Merthyr Tydfil and Royal Glamorgan hospital in Llantrisant were being reviewed.
The cases included 20 still births and six neonatal deaths between 1st January 2016 and the end of September 2018 and where there was an "adverse outcome" to mothers or their babies.
Allison Williams appeared on Wales at Six in 2019 and said she would not be resigning at the time.
Investigations into the deaths and serious injury of babies is continuing through an oversight panel and maternity services at the health board remain in special measures.The health board documents revealing the payment to Allison Williams after her resignation state: "Allison Williams, Chief Executive for Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board, stepped down on 20th August 2019.
"In line with the agreement for her departure, her final salary received included a payment of £8,190 for accrued but untaken annual leave, an ex-gratia payment for the termination of employment of £75,119, a payment of £45,071 in respect of the contractual entitlement to payment in lieu of notice and a contribution towards her legal fees of £3,600.
"The terms of the exit package were agreed by the Remuneration and Terms of Service Committee, and where necessary approved by the Welsh Government."
Plaid Cymru's health spokesperson Rhun ap Iorwerth MS described the revelation as an "insult to the parents who suffered at the loss at the hands of the health board".
“Plaid Cymru welcomed the resignation of Allison Williams after the scandal emerged at two Cwm Taf health board maternity units.“To learn now that she received such a high sum of money as part of her exit package is an insult to the parents who suffered loss at the hands of the health board she fronted. “Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board needs to explain why they think it appropriate to provide such a financial reward to their former CEO."
Watch the full report by James Crichton-Smith here: