The report highlighted Jeremy Colman’s concerns at the number of NHS bodies that are continuing to report financial deficits. He said, “There is no doubt that the challenges that face the NHS in Wales demand extremely high standards of financial management. As ever, but particularly in the coming months, I intend to support health bodies as they strive to meet these challenges and achieve new healthcare standards.”

Key messages from the report, which highlight areas for improvement, include:

• though procurement procedures are improving, bodies should still make more use of Value Wales to get better value for public money;
• organisations can further improve the way they prepare European grant claims;
• audited bodies are continuing to improve their payment performance, though some aspects still need work;
• e-purchases and e-grant systems are giving the Welsh Assembly Government better financial information, but it can do more to realise their full benefits;

The Auditor General also spelled out the risks and opportunities in an era of profound constitutional and corporate change, which has transformed the governance and financial administration of Wales. The changes have made public finances in Wales more independent from Westminster, and created a Welsh Consolidated Fund.

The Auditor General for Wales, Jeremy Colman, said today:
“Overall standards of probity and financial management at central government and NHS bodies in Wales are high and where issues have arisen, my recommendations have been acted on. These public bodies have reasonable arrangements to get the best value for public money but financial planning, especially in the NHS has to extend beyond the immediate situation into medium and long terms plans.
I look forward to working with the bodies I audit to keep public services accountable and improve the services on which so many depend.”