LABOUR ministers faced calls to urgently intervene and protect patients at a major north Wales health board today following a damning report which slammed a “breakdown in working relationships” in senior management.

Auditor General for Wales Adrian Crompton said the worsening situation at Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board is “fundamentally compromising its ability to tackle the numerous challenges it faces.”

The board, which the independent inspector said is dealing with “unprecedented patient demand and long-terms concerns over service performance, quality and safety,” should be uniting to address the issues, Mr Crompton stressed.