Glan Clwyd Hospital: Health Inspectorate Wales admits failings

The Tawel Fan ward of Glan Clwyd Hospital was closed after concerns were raised in December 2013

A health inspection body has said patients at a north Wales mental health unit were failed.

Healthcare Inspectorate Wales (HIW) said scrutiny at Glan Clwyd Hospital's Tawel Fan ward "failed to detect and respond to the concerns at an early enough point in this case".

Families of patients at the hospital, in Bodelwyddan, Denbighshire, said they were treated like animals.

HIW said it has since increased the volume of inspections it carries out.

Dr Kate Chamberlain, chief executive of HIW, said: "We will also be using the learning from this event to look at our own arrangements for handling concerns to ensure that opportunities to intervene at an appropriate point are not missed."

Earlier on Friday, Dr Eamonn Jessup, chairman of the North Wales local medical committee, said Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board is "on the brink of an absolute crisis".

Director of the Royal College of Nursing in Wales, Tina Donnelly said: "Where areas of poor care are identified, it is essential that a proper investigation is carried out to find out if systemic failings or individuals' failure to deliver appropriate standards of care are responsible.

"If an individual is found responsible for poor standards of care, it is right and proper that he or she is held accountable."

Were you or a family member involved in the review of the Tawel Fan ward? Get in touch: [e-mail] or via Twitter: @bbcwalesnews

The independent investigation found

• Patients nursed on the floor

• A lack of professional, dignified and compassionate care

• Unsupervised patients

• An environment which does not promote independence, resulting in restraint

• Regimes/routine/practice on the ward which may violate individual patients' human rights

'It was probably a mistake keeping him in there'

The independent report, written by health specialist Donna Ockenden, said the concerns found proven amount to "institutional abuse".

The health board has apologised for the "inexcusable and unacceptable" treatment.

A spokeswoman said the health board "is realistic about the challenges it faces and the improvements which need to be made to regain the public's trust... we will be undertaking a full investigation into how this situation could happen to ensure we can prevent something similar in the future."

Eight members of nursing staff have been suspended on full pay and a "significant" number have also been transferred to other roles.

Others, including managers, have been "stood down".

Following consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service, North Wales Police decided not to bring any charges in the case.

A telephone helpline set up by the health board in 2014 is still open for relatives to call if they have concerns

The health board carried out a report into death rates at the unit and will discuss the outcome with families who raised concerns about the treatment of their loved ones.

A copy has also been sent to the coroner.

This report will not be published until the health board has met with the families.