The Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board is maintaining financial support for research staff at Bangor University’s Centre for Mental Health and Society, allocating £110,686 in the current financial year for two researchers despite mounting scrutiny over the arrangement.
An internal NHS report completed in January raised significant concerns about the partnership, stating that it remained unclear what specific services the health board was receiving and whether the funding translated into tangible benefits for the north Wales population. The report noted that by September 2025, the health board had disbursed over £4m to the university since the original five-year contract was established in 2012, yet the organisation could not demonstrate that it had obtained value for money from the agreement.
Llais, the health and social care watchdog for Wales, indicated that the health board has not moved with sufficient urgency to address these concerns. Geoff Ryall-Harvey, the regional director for North Wales, stated that a comprehensive review of how the funds were being utilised should have occurred to determine whether the partnership should continue. He emphasised that given limited NHS budgets, health boards have an obligation to ensure strong financial returns on their investments.
The health board acknowledged the findings and indicated it is taking corrective measures, including commissioning an external review of its research, development and innovation function. Current research initiatives at the centre include examinations of students’ experiences in prison, mental health outcomes, and opiate use in primary care. Both the NHS and Bangor University confirmed that investigations revealed no evidence of fraud or misconduct in the agreement’s establishment or operations. The university reaffirmed its commitment to collaborative work with the health board and expressed willingness to participate in any further review discussions.
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