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Glan Clwyd Hospital: Mental health ward staff reported Glan Clwyd Hospital: Minister sorry for Tawel Fan scandal
(35 minutes later)
Ten members of staff from a mental health ward criticised for its treatment have been reported to their professional bodies. Health Minister Mark Drakeford has apologised for failings on a mental health ward at Glan Clwyd Hospital.
A damning report on Glan Clwyd Hospital's Tawel Fan unit said patients had suffered "institutional abuse". An independent report published last week said patients in the Tawel Fan unit suffered "institutional abuse".
Families said patients were treated like animals in a zoo, and First Minister Carwyn Jones promised that disciplinary action would follow. Families said patients were treated like animals in a zoo and ten members of staff have been reported to their professional bodies.
Assembly members are holding an urgent debate on the scandal. Mr Drakeford said an "urgent meeting" will consider putting Betsi Cadwaladr health board into special measures.
This could mean the Welsh government or another body taking over some or all of the board's functions.
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.
Shadow Health Minister Darren Millar said those responsible at Betsi Cadwaladr local health board (LHB) should be sacked without compensation.
The Conservatives and Liberal Democrats have called for the LHB to be placed in special measures, while Plaid Cymru has called for a new "fit and proper person" test to be introduced for hospital managers.
North Wales Police investigated the allegations of mistreatment but said they had decided not to press any charges.
Betsi Cadwaladr health board has already apologised for failings identified in the independent report by health specialist Donna Ockenden published last Thursday.Betsi Cadwaladr health board has already apologised for failings identified in the independent report by health specialist Donna Ockenden published last Thursday.
'Closed' culture'Closed' culture
A separate report for next week's meeting of the board says that seven employees have been referred to the Nursing and Midwifery Council and three to the General Medical Council.A separate report for next week's meeting of the board says that seven employees have been referred to the Nursing and Midwifery Council and three to the General Medical Council.
Bernie Cuthel, appointed interim director of primary, community and mental health in the wake of the scandal, said the independent report had found evidence of a "closed and inward-looking culture" on the ward.Bernie Cuthel, appointed interim director of primary, community and mental health in the wake of the scandal, said the independent report had found evidence of a "closed and inward-looking culture" on the ward.
She said the problem was being tackled "head on" through "challenging workshops" making staff "confront their own behaviour and beliefs".She said the problem was being tackled "head on" through "challenging workshops" making staff "confront their own behaviour and beliefs".
In contrast, Ms Cuthel noted that Health Inspectorate Wales found good team working, strong leadership and compliments from patients at the Heddfan psychiatric ward at Wrexham Maelor Hospital.In contrast, Ms Cuthel noted that Health Inspectorate Wales found good team working, strong leadership and compliments from patients at the Heddfan psychiatric ward at Wrexham Maelor Hospital.
'Reform' inspection regime
However, the Tories' Shadow Health Minister Darren Millar claimed the inspectorate needed reforming because it had failed to spot problems at Glan Clwyd Hospital.
"I think we need an independent inspectorate," he told BBC Radio Wales on Wednesday.
"We need more unannounced inspections on these sorts of wards in the future to prevent these failings from taking place."
Plaid Cymru's health spokesperson Elin Jones has called for the introduction of a "fit and proper person" test and disqualification process for hospital managers.
"Doctors and nurses are all answerable to regulatory bodies when they fail to meet the standards expected of them, and likewise managers should also be answerable and subject to disqualification if it is necessary," she said.
The Liberal Democrats have called for Betsi Cadwaladr health board to be placed in "special measures", which could involve suspending or removing its powers and duties.
North Wales Police investigated the allegations of mistreatment but said they had decided not to press any charges.
Assembly members are having an urgent debate on the Tawel Fan scandal on Wednesday, following calls from opposition parties for the Labour Welsh government to hold the health board accountable.