AUDIT WALES has raised fresh concerns about digital transformation in parts of NHS Wales, warning that weaknesses in planning, funding, governance and assurance could limit the impact of modernisation efforts.

The findings come in two new reports examining digital transformation at Velindre University NHS Trust and Powys Teaching Health Board.

At Velindre, Audit Wales found that the trust recognises digital transformation as central to modernising services and has a ten-year digital strategy in place. However, auditors said the strategy does not include a detailed, costed delivery plan, making it harder for the trust to prioritise work, use resources effectively, and be confident that its ambitions can be delivered.

In Powys, auditors found a clearer digital framework and improved governance, but warned that weaknesses remain around financial planning, measuring benefits, assurance reporting, legacy systems, disaster recovery and long-term resilience.

The reports raise wider questions about whether NHS Wales has the leadership, infrastructure and resources needed to deliver digital healthcare reform at pace.

Digital transformation is seen as vital to reducing pressure on services, improving patient records, cutting duplication, supporting safer prescribing and helping clinicians access information more quickly.

However, repeated delays and inconsistent systems across the NHS have long been a source of frustration for staff and patients.

Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for Health and Social Care, Natasha Asghar MS, said: “Digital transformation is essential if we are to improve patient outcomes, reduce waiting lists and modernise the NHS in Wales, but that cannot happen without the right infrastructure, leadership and delivery in place.

“Plaid’s so-called plan is still only a proposal to develop a future strategy, rather than delivering the action needed. These reports show NHS Wales cannot afford more vague promises and delayed delivery.

“If Ministers are serious about reforming healthcare in Wales, creating an environment where digital transformation can succeed must be a top priority.”

The issue is likely to be watched closely across west Wales, where patients often rely on services spread across multiple hospital sites and health boards.

The Herald will be asking the Welsh Government and Hywel Dda University Health Board what assurances they can give that digital systems in west Wales are fit for purpose, properly funded, and able to support safer and faster patient care.

ANTI-ARMS campaigners have accused the UK and Welsh Governments of turning west Wales into a centre for military drone development following protests in Cardigan and Aberporth.

West Wales Against Arms said its members took part in the Red Line for Palestine action in Cardigan on Saturday (May 23), before staging a vigil outside MOD Aberporth on Sunday (May 24).

The group says the demonstrations were aimed at drawing attention to the role of defence companies QinetiQ and Tekever in the growing use of unmanned aerial vehicle technology in west Wales.

The protest comes after the announcement of a £50m Wales Defence Growth Deal, which ministers say will support high-skilled jobs and strengthen Wales’ role in autonomous technology.

Campaigners, however, argue that public money should be spent on health, housing and public services rather than expanding military testing and drone development.

A spokesperson for West Wales Against Arms said: “From Cardigan’s march on Saturday to Aberporth’s vigil on Sunday, the message was the same. We see what is happening. We see who is enabling it. And we refuse to be quiet.

“This is not what we want for West Wales or for any part of the UK. It will leave less investment into health and housing and keep Wales complicit in the arms trade and the genocide in Palestine and the ongoing war in the Middle East.”

MOD Aberporth, near Cardigan Bay, has long been used for the testing of weapons systems and unmanned aerial systems.

QinetiQ operates at the site, while Tekever owns West Wales Airport. The two companies have previously announced plans to work together on developing uncrewed systems capability in the UK.

The UK Government has said the Wales Defence Growth Deal will help Welsh communities benefit from high-skilled roles, support small and medium-sized businesses, and improve access to defence contracts.

But campaigners say the deal raises serious ethical questions about the direction of public investment in Wales, particularly while the conflict in Gaza continues.

West Wales Against Arms has also published a pamphlet, Exposing the War Machine in Aberporth, setting out its claims about the defence industry in the area.

CONCERNS have been raised over the awarding of a near £1bn contract for the new Velindre Cancer Centre in Cardiff to a consortium linked to companies previously found guilty of bid-rigging offences.

Welsh Conservative Shadow Health Minister Natasha Asghar MS has written to Health Minister Mabon ap Gwynfor calling for further scrutiny of the decision by Velindre University NHS Trust to award the contract to the Acorn Consortium.

The consortium includes Sacyr and Kajima Partnerships. Concerns have been raised because members of the Sacyr Group have faced fines over anti-competitive bid-rigging practices in Spain and Portugal, while Kajima Corporation was found guilty in criminal proceedings in Japan relating to bid-rigging.

The issue centres on whether companies involved in such cases should remain eligible for major public contracts while appeals are still ongoing.

Velindre University NHS Trust has previously said the procurement process complied with the regulations in force at the time, and that the relevant convictions remained subject to appeal.

Ms Asghar said public confidence in NHS procurement was vital, particularly while health services remain under pressure.

She said: “That is why it is deeply concerning that a near £1 billion Velindre Cancer Centre contract was awarded to a consortium that includes companies previously found guilty of bid-rigging offences, raising questions about potential loopholes in the process of awarding public contracts.

“I have written to Plaid Cymru’s Health Minister seeking clarity and further scrutiny over how this decision was made.”

In her letter, Ms Asghar asks the Welsh Government to consider whether the procurement process was conducted fully in accordance with the relevant legal and regulatory framework.

She also asks whether the interpretation relied upon by the Trust created an unintended loophole allowing companies found guilty of serious anti-competitive conduct to remain eligible for major public contracts pending the exhaustion of appeals.

The letter also calls for consideration of whether further transparency is needed, including publication or independent review of the legal advice relied upon by the Trust.

The new Velindre Cancer Centre is being built in Whitchurch, Cardiff, and is being delivered through the Welsh Government’s Mutual Investment Model.

Audit Wales previously examined decision-making around the project and said the Trust and Welsh Government could demonstrate a sound enough basis for recent decisions, while also warning that the project involved significant long-term costs.