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'Minimise' institutional abuse risk, says ombudsman | |
(about 4 hours later) | |
Reforms are needed to "minimise the risk of institutional abuse ever occurring", the public services ombudsman for Wales has said. | |
Nick Bennett's comments follow a report that found such abuse of patients at Tawel Fan mental health ward in Glan Clwyd Hospital, Denbighshire. | |
A newly-published separate review described the local health board as having a "bullying culture". | |
The Betsi Cadwaladr board was placed under special measures on Monday. | |
Mr Bennett told BBC Wales' Y Sgwrs programme on S4C changes are needed to the current system so his office can launch investigations without having to wait for a complaint to be made first. | |
"I think it's really important, and a test of a mature democracy, that you have independent institutions that are capable of scrutinising public institutions in Wales to make sure that this type of abuse doesn't occur again", he said. | |
"I think there are a number of reforms that could be put in place including 'own initiative' powers for my own office", Mr Bennett added. | |
More details have also emerged of the crisis at Betsi Cadwaladr health board, that led up to the decision to put it under more direct Welsh government control. | |
A newly published review by former head of the Welsh NHS Ann Lloyd says the health board's chair described it as having a "bureaucratic and bullying culture". | |
The report also raises financial concerns and warns a "mammoth effort" was needed to make the changes needed. | The report also raises financial concerns and warns a "mammoth effort" was needed to make the changes needed. |
In the document, summing up the view of the board's chair Peter Higson, Ms Lloyd says: "He is very concerned about the lack of creativity within the organisation and considers that the organisation has a rigid, overly bureaucratic and bullying culture." | In the document, summing up the view of the board's chair Peter Higson, Ms Lloyd says: "He is very concerned about the lack of creativity within the organisation and considers that the organisation has a rigid, overly bureaucratic and bullying culture." |
Describing a series of clinical, organisational, managerial and financial problems, she observes: "It will take a mammoth effort on behalf of the whole of the executive team to enable the organisation to improve." | Describing a series of clinical, organisational, managerial and financial problems, she observes: "It will take a mammoth effort on behalf of the whole of the executive team to enable the organisation to improve." |
'No clear direction' | |
In the report, Ms Lloyd says "there is a great deal of work needed to bring the (mental health) services up to the standard required". | |
She also highlights the findings of a review by the Good Governance Institute last year. | She also highlights the findings of a review by the Good Governance Institute last year. |
It concluded members of the Local Health Board were "not seen as adding value to the organisation", there was "no clear direction/strategy or corporate objectives" and departments were "setting their own objectives and timescales". | It concluded members of the Local Health Board were "not seen as adding value to the organisation", there was "no clear direction/strategy or corporate objectives" and departments were "setting their own objectives and timescales". |
On Tuesday, Mr Drakeford announced the deputy chief executive of the Welsh NHS Simon Dean was to take charge of the board after its chief executive was suspended. | On Tuesday, Mr Drakeford announced the deputy chief executive of the Welsh NHS Simon Dean was to take charge of the board after its chief executive was suspended. |
More on Nick Bennett's comments on Y Sgwrs on S4C at 21:30 on Wednesday 10 June. |