Legal News

Spot checks on 22 mental health wards across Wales ordered by the Welsh Assembly Health Minister last year have found no evidence of systemic poor care – but room for improvement in patient care was found, BBC News reports.

The checks were ordered after a report into the former Tawel Fan unit at Denbighshire's Glan Clwyd hospital found “institutional abuse” at the mental health unit, which has now been closed.

Families of patients had complained that the unit was “like a zoo”.

A previous Trusted to Care report into the care of elderly patients at two hospitals in Bridgend and Neath Port Talbot prompted spot checks in 70 general wards treating elderly patients at 20 hospitals. During these checks, medicine management issues were uncovered.

The most recent checks reviewed how elderly patients with dementia and other conditions were being cared for on mental health wards.

The inspectors found that staff on the 22 wards were “were doing their best to provide good quality care in the face of a number of challenges” – with “many areas of good and excellent practice” across Wales.

Areas of inspection included nutrition, medicines and continence care, as well as the use of restraints, daily activities for patients and the involvement of patients’ families in their care.

The team of inspectors included mental health nurses, pharmacists and occupational therapists.

The inspections revealed “considerable variation in standards and practice”, with room for improvement, including ensuring older people had access to daily activities on wards and encouraging flexible visiting hours.

The inspectors also recommended that staff should feel they could raise any concerns easily – and be provided with effective training.

Staff also needed to understand the necessary legal safeguards – and there should also be improvements to ward environments, including ensuring simple maintenance tasks and repairs took place promptly.

More than £5 million a year will now be invested in psychiatric liaison services in general hospitals as a result of the findings, to ensure that daily activities are available for elderly patients being cared for on mental health wards.

The Chief Medical Officer for Wales, Dr Ruth Hussey, said that immediate action was taken in some cases – but there were also “general themes emerging”.

“As there are more people with vulnerability and dementia in the population, the environments we care for them in have to be developed, too.

“So when we're refurbishing wards, now we need to build in suitable, dementia-friendly environments.
“We need to be more flexible with meal times – involving families more.

“But when you're very frail and elderly, you may not have standard meal-times and want different arrangements.”

Welsh Assembly 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.”

Duncan Lewis Mental Health Solicitors

Duncan Lewis mental health solicitors can advise mental health patients on their rights under the Mental Health Act, including access to NHS mental health services and detention under the Act.

There are Duncan Lewis offices nationwide and our specialist mental health solicitors regularly visit hospitals and police stations to advise on mental health law.

In some cases, Duncan Lewis may also be able to advise the Nearest Relative or carer of a mental health patient on care issues and treatment reviews.

For expert legal advice on mental health law, call Duncan Lewis mental health solicitors on 0203 114 1124.