Welsh Conservatives have called for Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board to be placed in special measures following a report on patient care at Glan Clwyd’s Tawel Fan ward.
Speaking during an urgent debate on the findings of an investigation – brought to the Senedd floor by Welsh Conservatives – Shadow Minister for Health Darren Millar AM has also called for significant changes to Health Inspectorate Wales.
Providing evidence during the investigation, relatives said some patients in the Tawel Fan ward were treated like ‘animals’.
A five point plan to address the significant failings has been presented by Welsh Conservatives during today’s urgent debate:
- Welsh Labour Government to place the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board in ‘special measures’.
- The establishment of an independent panel to implement the report’s recommendations. To include relatives of the victims of Tawel Fan and the independent investigator and report author, Donna Ockenden
- A radical overhaul of the healthcare inspectorate, including making Healthcare Inspectorate Wales entirely independent of Welsh Government, along with additional resources for the inspectorate to expand its programme of unannounced inspections.
- An independent appointments process for Health Board members across Wales
- A Wales-wide independent public inquiry into standards of patients care
Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for Health, Darren Millar AM, said:
“This horrific report on NHS care in Labour-run Wales was not the first of its kind in recent years – but it is arguably the worst.
“The failings at Tawel Fan were the latest in a long line of significant problems in North Wales and Labour ministers must now intervene and place the health board in special measures with immediate effect.
“Senior management must be held to account and problems must be swiftly and effectively rooted out.
“Responsibility for implementing the report’s recommendations should lie with an independent panel - and it is absolutely crucial that the relatives of those mistreated are given an opportunity to take part.
“Immediate changes are also required at Healthcare Inspectorate Wales – which should be independent of Welsh Government and in receipt of more resources.
“Across Wales, the health board appointments process should be made entirely independent to rid us of Labour cronyism and our long-term calls for a public inquiry into standards of care should be acted upon.
“These horrific failings must never be allowed to happen again – anywhere in Wales. That means significant, effective and immediate action.”