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Hospitals' spot checks revealed Hospitals' spot checks revealed
(34 minutes later)
The findings of a series of spot checks at 20 hospitals across Wales prompted by a critical report on elderly patient care are being published on Thursday. A series of spot checks at 20 hospitals across Wales found "no systemic issues of concern", according to a report prompted by criticisms of elderly patient care.
Health Minister Mark Drakeford ordered the checks following the publication of the Trusted to Care report.Health Minister Mark Drakeford ordered the checks following the publication of the Trusted to Care report.
It found a series of failings at south Wales hospitals in the Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board area. Thursday's report looked at medicine delivery, hydration, continence care and night-time sedation on 70 wards.
The checks at 70 wards looked at medicine delivery, hydration, night-time sedation and continence care. It found some improvements were needed with medicines management on wards.
The report said: "Overall we found no systemic issues of concern about patient hydration, continence needs or the use of sedation.
"We did find individual areas where improvements were needed, but we also observed many examples of notable practice.
"We did however find areas for improvement with medicines management on wards throughout NHS Wales. The main issues we have found related to the safe and secure storage of medicines."
A team of independent experts conducted the checks.A team of independent experts conducted the checks.
The spotlight fell on two hospitals - Princess of Wales in Bridgend and Neath Port Talbot - following a BBC Wales investigation into neglect allegations in July 2013 surrounding the care of 82-year-old Lillian Williams over the course of three hospital stays, which ended with her death. Mr Drakeford said a new working group would look at the way medicines were administered, recorded and stored and other issues identified in the report would also be tackled
Mrs Williams was admitted to both hospitals between August 2010 and November 2012, when she died. "We will use the findings from the spot checks to help us continue to improve the care of older people in Wales and the lessons we have learned will be shared across the Welsh NHS," he said.
The inquiry followed a BBC Wales report in July 2013 surrounding the care of 82-year-old Lilian Williams who died following three stays at hospital.
During her time as a patient, her family had raised concerns about her care at the Princess of Wales in Bridgend and Neath Port Talbot.
Issues of patient care had already been raised with police by managers at the two hospitals in February 2013 and an investigation was under way.
Mrs Williams had been admitted to both hospitals between August 2010 and November 2012, when she died.
The family complained after her first visit, saying Mrs Williams had been left with nothing to eat or drink for several days and became delirious.The family complained after her first visit, saying Mrs Williams had been left with nothing to eat or drink for several days and became delirious.
They had similar concerns two years later when she was readmitted, where they raised concerns over the care of her amputated leg. There were further issues during her third and final stay in hospital later that year.They had similar concerns two years later when she was readmitted, where they raised concerns over the care of her amputated leg. There were further issues during her third and final stay in hospital later that year.
Calls for an inquiry followed.Calls for an inquiry followed.
'Hopelessness''Hopelessness'
Three nurses from the Princess of Wales Hospital were arrested in the summer of 2013 on suspicion of falsifying patient records, "resulting in neglect".Three nurses from the Princess of Wales Hospital were arrested in the summer of 2013 on suspicion of falsifying patient records, "resulting in neglect".
In November 2013, Mr Drakeford announced a review into standards of nursing at the two hospitals involved, led by Prof June Andrews.In November 2013, Mr Drakeford announced a review into standards of nursing at the two hospitals involved, led by Prof June Andrews.
The resulting report, Trusted to Care, was published in May 2014 found a series of failings. It described a "sense of hopelessness" in the delivery of care for its frail and elderly patients, poor professional behaviour and a lack of "suitably qualified, educated and motivated" staff.The resulting report, Trusted to Care, was published in May 2014 found a series of failings. It described a "sense of hopelessness" in the delivery of care for its frail and elderly patients, poor professional behaviour and a lack of "suitably qualified, educated and motivated" staff.
The health board subsequently apologised, calling Mrs Williams' case "completely unacceptable". The health minister also apologised to those affected. The health board subsequently apologised, calling Mrs Williams's case "completely unacceptable". The health minister also apologised to those affected.
He also announced the spot checks of hospitals across Wales, focusing on four areas: delivery of medicine, hydration, night-time sedation and continence care.He also announced the spot checks of hospitals across Wales, focusing on four areas: delivery of medicine, hydration, night-time sedation and continence care.
By July 2014, a total of 15 nurses from ABMU had been suspended. Five have been charged and appeared in court, with one, Rebecca Jones, 30, from Bridgend, admitting falsifying patient notes showing blood sugar levels.By July 2014, a total of 15 nurses from ABMU had been suspended. Five have been charged and appeared in court, with one, Rebecca Jones, 30, from Bridgend, admitting falsifying patient notes showing blood sugar levels.