Scandal-hit Tawel Fan ward to be demolished under north Wales health board plans

The scandal-hit Tawel Fan is to be demolished under plans to be put before Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board.

The mental health ward hit the headlines after a report in 2014 detailing 'institutional abuse' on Tawel Fan.

Proposals costing £25m will be discussed by Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board next week. They include Tawel Fan ward being replaced, with "new purpose built 36 bedded adult ward created."

Tawel Fan ward is located in the Ablett Unit, at Glan Clwyd hospital, Bodelwyddan.

Under health board plans, the unit is set to be 'reconfigured' by "demolishing elements of the current facility, extending some of the current buildings, refurbishing some of the remaining ward areas and building a new adult ward."

Another ward in the unit, called Tegid, has been described as "not fit for purpose" with "limited sanitary and bathing facilities."

The health board hopes that changes to mental health provision will help improve the public image of services in north Wales.

It follows multiple critical reports - two from investigator Donna Ockenden, and one from HASCAS (Hascas Health And Social Care Advisory Service) - into the running of services and the quality of care being provided.

Concerns have previously been raised about the governance at the health board with regards to providing adequate mental health care.