Image caption, Four reviews over 10 years outline changes to be made by Betsy Cadwaladr Health Board. Article information Author, Chris Dearden Position, BBC News 29 May 2024
Updated 1 hour ago
It has been claimed people have died because an under- fire health board failed to improve mental health services quickly enough.
The Royal College of Psychiatrists found that less than half of the 84 improvements it recommended for hospital groups' mental health departments were being implemented.
There have been four separate reviews of proposed reforms to be made by Betsy Cadwaladr University Health Board in the past decade, and Rice, from the patient watchdog, said deaths continued to occur during these times.
The health board, which runs the NHS in North Wales, apologised and said it would work to improve.
Problems with the health board's mental health services first became public in December 2013 when Tawell Fan Dementia Unit, in Isbyty Glan Clwyd, near Rhyl, was closed.
Elderly patients there were reportedly treated “like zoo animals.”
Previously, the committee was made aware of problems at Hargest Mental Health Unit in Isbyty Gwynedd, Bangor.
The investigation found a culture of bullying and low morale and that concerns about patient safety were not addressed.
Four separate investigations were carried out between 2013 and 2018 and recommendations for action were made.
Over the past few months, the Royal College of Psychiatrists has been investigating whether these changes have been implemented.
Evidence revealed that of the 84 recommendations, only 37 (44%) were fully implemented.
Image caption: Phil DeCarty's mother died at Tawell Fan ward, on the Ysbyty Glan Clwyd estate.
There was some evidence for 41 changes (49%) and no evidence for the remaining six (7%) recommendations.
Phil DeCarty, whose mother Joyce died on the Tawelfang ward in 2012, said: “These recommendations should have been made a long time ago.”
“The fact that, in the worst case scenario, 10 years later, we're still talking about things that haven't been implemented is extremely worrying.”
The Royal College of Psychiatrists also said Betsy Cadwaladr health board needed to urgently consider patient safety, particularly the risk of patients attempting to harm themselves.
This month a coroner concluded that negligence by the health board contributed to the death of a patient in a psychiatric ward in 2020.
Image caption: Dicatty said it's “very disappointing” that things haven't been done yet
Geoff Lyall Harvey, from patient watchdog group Raith, said: “We have been complaining to the health board for the better part of the last decade that nothing has been done and what was alleged to have been done has not been done.”
“Many more incidents have occurred over the last decade, the effects of which are still ongoing, and in that time many more tragedies have occurred and many more lives have been lost.
“What we need is an independent oversight committee to see when things are done and when they can be approved.”
Image source: Family photo
Image caption: Dawn Owen, 46, died in a mental health service in North Wales.
Special measures have commissioned a review of the health board's mental health services.
“The Health Board has endorsed the key findings of the inquiry and looks forward to implementing them as we continue to advance the implementation of safe and effective policies across mental health services,” it added.
Betsi Cadwaladr health board chair Carol Sirabia said the board welcomed the review.
“Great progress has been made but there is more to do. The board is determined to take action to improve services and will work with patients, carers and families.”
