Tawel Fan care scandal: Minister apologises for mental health ward failings

Posted

Health Minister Mark Drakeford has apologised for failings on the Tawel Fan mental health ward at Glan Clwyd Hospital which came to light last week (BBC news, May 28: ‘Patients kept ‘like animals in a zoo’.).

An independent report published last week said patients in the Tawel Fan unit suffered “institutional abuse”. The findings by report author, Donna Ockenden, included:

  • 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

Mr Drakeford said an “urgent meeting” will consider putting Betsi Cadwaladr health board into special measures. The minister apologised for the “gross departures from basic standards of care” as the assembly held an urgent debate on the scandal on Wednesday.

First Minister Carwyn Jones had already promised that disciplinary action would follow.