Commenting on a release by Healthcare Inspectorate Wales (HIW) following an unannounced inspection of a specialist mental health unit in North Wales, Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for North Wales, Darren Millar MS said:

“The Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board was placed in special measures back in 2015 for failings in mental health services after the Tawel Fan scandal at the Ablett Unit so I am appalled that the Healthcare Inspectorate has found that staffing shortages and poor medication records are still an issue some eight years later. It is not good enough.

“Both the Welsh Government and the Health Board must get to grips with these issues and ensure that recommendations following inspections by regulators are fully implemented.”

Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for Mental Health, James Evans MS added:

“This report by Healthcare Inspectorate Wales points to some serious issues at the mental health unit in Ysbyty Glan Clwyd. The fact that medication records are not being fully completed creating confusion and that patient dignity is said to be at risk is completely unacceptable.

“I was particularly disappointed to hear that patients are having to share rooms to save space, sacrificing their privacy, which is of the upmost importance.”

The inspection of Ablett Unit at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd in Rhyl took place in July 2023.