Report slams care at mental health ward

Ten members of staff from a psychiatric unit where patients were claimed by families to have been treated “like animals” have been reported to their professional bodies.

Wales' First Minister Carwyn Jones has promised that disciplinary action will follow a damning report claiming “institutionalised abuse” at the Tawel Fan ward of the Ablett Unit, at Glan Clwyd Hospital, near Rhyl.

The Crown Prosecution Service has decided that no action will be taken against anyone. But a report to next week’s meeting of the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board says that seven employees have been referred to the Nursing and Midwifery Council and three to the General Medical Council.

The Board’s chief executive Professor Trevor Purt has already described the treatment of some patients as “shocking, inexcusable and unacceptable.”

The family of one patient on Tawel Fan ward of the Ablett Unit at Glan Clwyd Hospital described what they saw as 'like a zoo'.

The health board's chief executive has apologised.

The report also details one occasion when a patient was complaining of discomfort in their arm. The report says the response from staff was 'Oh [the patient] did complain of a painful arm, but we didn't take much notice really.'

After being taken to A&E, a broken wrist was diagnosed.

An independent report into concerns over patient treatment and care on the Ablett Unit at Glan Clwyd Hospital has been published.

The Chief Executive of the health board said: " I am extremely sorry that we let our vulnerable patients and their families down so badly."

Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board is expected to provide an update later on the investigation into the treatment and care of patients on the Ablett Unit at Glan Clwyd Hospital.

The mental health unit was closed in December 2013 after 'serious concerns' were raised by staff and families.

North Wales Police launched an investigation and the Health Board ordered an external independent review. Several members of staff were suspended.

Commenting on the north Wales health board's decision to close a mental health ward within the Ablett Unit in Ysbyty Glan Clwyd, Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for Health Darren Millar AM said:

“This is more clear evidence of the need for an independent Keogh-style inquiry into standards of patient care within the Welsh NHS.

“This closure will be of deep concern to patients and their families and it’s hugely important that the health board quickly gets a grip on alternative arrangements for care.

“It is crucial that this does not infringe on the availability of beds for other patients over the Christmas period.

“Incidents like this clearly demonstrate the need for sufficient flexibility and availability of inpatient beds within mental health care right across Wales.”

Eight patients have been affected by the closure of a mental health ward at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd after concerns were raised about the quality of patient care.

Six patients have been moved to other mental health units in north Wales while two others have been transferred to another ward in the Ablett Unit at Glan Clwyd.