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Abertawe Bro Morgannwg: Hospital care failings identified Abertawe Bro Morgannwg: Hospital care failings identified
(35 minutes later)
Care failings at two hospitals in Wales have been criticised in an independent report. Failings in patient care at two Welsh hospitals have been criticised in an independent report.
The Trusted To Care review was set up by the Welsh government over concerns about standards of care at both Neath Port Talbot Hospital and the Princess of Wales Hospital in south Wales. The Trusted To Care review was held after concerns at Neath Port Talbot Hospital and the Princess of Wales Hospital in south Wales.
It found there were a number of failings the hospitals run by Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board. It followed the neglect of patient Lilian Williams, 82, who died after being treated at both hospitals.
Her family complained and it led to a review which found a number of failings in care of elderly patients.
Mrs Williams, from Porthcawl, had been admitted to both hospitals a total of four times between August 2010 and November 2012, when she died.
Her family claimed she suffered "appalling" neglect.
The ombudsman who investigated her family's complaint was highly critical of her care, and called the case tragic.
Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University (ABMU) Health Board subsequently apologised and admitted the case had been "completely unacceptable".
Since then, campaigners have called for a public review and the resignation of the board's chief executive. They claim "hundreds" of examples of poor care have come to light.
A review was ordered by Health Minister Mark Drakeford into levels of care offered by both hospitals.
It catalogued a series of failings at the two hospitals, describing "a sense of hopelessness" in its care for frail and elderly patients. It found "poor professional behaviour" and a "lack of suitably qualified, educated and motivated staff." One patient told the review team: "I am in Hell."
Others said elderly patients were instructed to go to the toilet in their beds, medicines had been recorded as given when they were not, and staff tolerated dangerous practice.
The report also found there was:
The report said: "There are aspects of the care of frail older people which are simply unacceptable and must be addressed as a matter of urgency.
"ABMU has not at any point been 'another Stafford'. But no one should be in any doubt that there are aspects of the care of frail older people which are simply unacceptable and must be addressed as a matter of urgency through action by the Board of ABMU and by the Welsh government."
Health Minister Mark Drakeford apologised those patients affected.Health Minister Mark Drakeford apologised those patients affected.
It found there was:
"I have been shocked by some of what I have read in this report. I am determined that nothing of this sort will be tolerated in Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board or indeed anywhere else in Wales in the future," said Mr Drakeford."I have been shocked by some of what I have read in this report. I am determined that nothing of this sort will be tolerated in Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board or indeed anywhere else in Wales in the future," said Mr Drakeford.
However he added: "Despite the failings it identifies, I am reassured that the report makes it absolutely and repeatedly clear that what has happened in these hospitals is not, and never has been, the same as that at the Mid Staffordshire NHS Trust in England.
"Prof Andrews and Mr Butler (report's authors) say that, throughout the review, the key question posed by others was: "Is Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board another Mid-Staffs?" The report answers that question directly and unequivocally: 'It is not'."
The report made 18 recommendations for improvement which Mr Drakeford said had all been accepted.The report made 18 recommendations for improvement which Mr Drakeford said had all been accepted.
An investigation by BBC Wales last summer highlighted significant concerns about the care of pensioner Lilian Williams, of Porthcawl, at the Princess of Wales and Neath Port Talbot hospitals. Following the publication of the report, ABMU Health Board Chairman, Professor Andrew Davies, said: "As a Health Board we expect the highest professional standards and behaviours and will not tolerate poor care. This report was very uncomfortable to read but we are determined to emerge as a Health Board where all our hospitals provide excellent, patient-centred, care."
Her family claimed she suffered "appalling" neglect between 2010 and her death in November 2012.
The health board subsequently apologised and claimed the case had been "completely unacceptable".
Meanwhile calls have been made for "no stone to be left unturned" in Princess of Wales Hospital's investigation of seven nurses suspended amid allegations of falsifying patient records.
Three other nurses from the hospital have previously been arrested and bailed on suspicion of neglect after claims notes had been falsified.
A criminal inquiry is continuing.