Health chiefs change mind over streaming meetings

Local health bosses are to allow their future meetings to be streamed on the Internet for the public to view.

It comes after an original decision would have prevented members of the public from viewing the meetings during the current coronavirus situation.

Powys Teaching Health Board members yesterday approved a motion which would allow them to live stream the meeting on the internet.

It was part of a number of measures for “Maintaining Good Governance Arrangements” during the coronavirus crisis put to the members by board secretary, Rani Mallison.

Ms Mallison said: “The Board will continue to conduct as much of its formal business in public as possible, to this end, it is hoped to be able to start live streaming of the public Board meeting from July 2020.”

The changes are intended to shorten  meeting and focus more on “essential matters.”

PTHB assistant director for communications and engagement, Adrian Osborne tweeted from the meeting that the decision had been “ratified.”

The Board had originally taken the decision on March 25, to run it’s meetings and committees by “electronic/telephony” means rather than in physical locations.

Ms Mallison, said: “This would mean that for a period of time members of the public would not be able to attend meetings in person, or observe on-line.

“The Board took this decision in the best interests of protecting the public, our staff and board members.”

Since 22 April the Local Authorities (Coronavirus) (Meetings) (Wales) Regulations 2020 has been in force.

This makes changes to the Local Government Act Wales allowing meetings to take place by remote attendance.

But there is no reference to Welsh health boards in the new guidelines

Earlier this month Powys County Council re-started holding public meetings by remote attendance.

 

By Elgan Hearn, Local democracy Reporting Service