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Spot checks on 22 mental health wards across Wales Spot checks on 22 mental health wards across Wales
(35 minutes later)
Full details of spot-checks on more than 20 mental health wards for elderly patients are being revealed. Spot-checks on 22 mental health wards for elderly patients found no evidence of systemic poor care or neglect.
The inspections were ordered by the Welsh health minister last autumn. But there was room for improvement in some areas, including making sure patients have daily activities and staff can get effective training.
They found a "considerable variation" in standards and raised concerns about prescribing, training, the skill mix of staff and catering services. The checks were ordered by the health minister late last year.
It comes after a report earlier this month highlighted "institutional abuse" at the former Tawel Fan unit at Denbighshire's Glan Clwyd hospital. However, they did not find any repeat of the failings and "institutional abuse" at the former Tawel Fan unit at Denbighshire's Glan Clwyd hospital.
Relatives had described patients being treated like they were "in a zoo". Relatives had described patients being treated like they were "in a zoo" in a report released this month.
An earlier Trusted To Care report found failings in the care of Lilian Williams, 82, at two hospitals in Bridgend and Neath Port Talbot. An earlier Trusted To Care report looked at care of elderly patients at two hospitals in Bridgend and Neath Port Talbot.
Mrs Williams died in 2012 after three separate hospital stays. That prompted a round of unannounced spot checks in 70 general wards treating elderly patients at 20 hospitals which found medicine management issues.
This prompted a round of unannounced spot checks in 70 general wards treating elderly patients at 20 hospitals which found medicine management issues. The latest review checked how older patients with dementia and mental illnesses were being looked after on specialist wards.
This latest review late last year checked how older patients with dementia and mental illnesses were being looked after on specialist wards. In the main, the checks found staff "were doing their best to provide good quality care in the face of a number of challenges".
As well as issues like nutrition, medicines and continence care, the checks also included how restraints were used, daily activities for patients and how relatives were involved.As well as issues like nutrition, medicines and continence care, the checks also included how restraints were used, daily activities for patients and how relatives were involved.
Inspectors included mental health nurses, pharmacists and occupational therapists.Inspectors included mental health nurses, pharmacists and occupational therapists.
Visits to 22 wards found "many areas of good and excellent practice" across Wales.Visits to 22 wards found "many areas of good and excellent practice" across Wales.
But they also showed some areas where improvements were needed. But they also showed room for improvement and "considerable variation in standards and practice".
"Considerable variation in standards and practice" were found which needed to be acted on. Issues needing action involve:
These include issues related to:
The findings have already been raised with health boards.
The detailed ward-by-ward reports are being published online.The detailed ward-by-ward reports are being published online.
The findings have already been raised with health boards and more than £5m a year will be invested in providing psychiatric liaison services in general hospitals to ensure daily activities are available on all older people's mental health wards.
Health Minister Mark Drakeford said: "These spot checks have provided us with assurance that poor care and neglect are not systemic features of the care of elderly mental health patients in Wales.
"They also highlight compassionate care provided by staff."
"However, the report does acknowledge there is room for further improvement. I expect health boards to continue to develop and improve services for older people with mental health problems both in hospitals and in the community."