Unannounced hospital spot-checks to happen in Wales

Posted: May 15, 2014

Posted in: Medical Negligence 

A recent report has highlighted major failings in the care of elderly patients at two Welsh hospitals. The report followed the neglect of Lilian Williams (82) who died as a result of poor treatment at both of the hospitals.  The hospitals, run by Abertawe Bro Morganwg University Health Board, seriously neglected Mrs Williams during her treatment, which has prompted unannounced spot-checks to be carried out at hospitals across Wales.

Sarah Rochira told BBC Radio Wales that the problems going undetected in the Princess of Wales Hospital in Bridgend and Neath Port Talbot Hospital for the last three years were “disturbing”.  She criticed health boards for not knowing what was going on in their wards, and said that the result of this was serious patient neglect.

“Shocked” by report findings

Ms Rochira spoke about health board failings a day prior to the release of the ‘Trusted To Care’ report, which highlighted serious issues, particularly within the Princess of Wales Hospital and Neath Port Talbot Hospital.  Major failings recognised by the report included patients being told to soil themselves, an ignorance of dementia needs and generally poor professional behaviour.

Health minister Mark Drakeford said that he was absolutely “shocked” by the findings, and apologised to all affected patients and their families.  Since the report’s publication, he has ordered a full review of elderly care – including random spot-checks – to be carried out across all of Wales’s hospitals.   

Ms Rochira suggested that care failings were due to weak regulation and a lack of inspections being carried out – suggesting that improvements should follow from this introduction of unannounced spot-checks.

If you have suffered medical negligence, and are looking to claim compensation, please contact us. 

« Complaints to Wales’ health board soar
Concerns over poor patient care in cardiac services »