Older People’s Commissioner calls elderly care at two Welsh hospitals 'shocking and unacceptable'

The Older People’s Commissioner for Wales has called the findings of the Review into care at two hospitals, run by Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board, a “damning indictment of failures in the most basic of care for older people”.

Health Minister Mark Drakeford has ordered an immediate review of the care of elderly patients at Welsh hospitals, following the publication of the report ‘Trusted to Care’, which investigated quality of care and patient safety at Princess of Wales and Neath Port Talbot hospitals.

The report found that at both hospitals there was 'poor professional behaviour' and a 'lack of suitably qualified, educated and motivated staff.'

One of the review team found 'a chaotic atmosphere' where staff appeared 'stressed and not in control'.

'They told me that they were six senior staff down, with one suspended and one on sick leave. The agency staff nurse had not appeared. There were patients calling out, one stuck in bed with bed rails and one lady said to me "I am in Hell"'.

The review was commissioned by Prof Drakeford after concerns were raised about patient care at the hospitals.

Health Minister makes 'unreserved apology' to patients and families

He said: “This review does not make easy reading; it will be particularly difficult for all concerned with the care of older people in these hospitals.

“As the Health Minister, I give my unreserved apology to those individuals and their families whose care has fallen short of what they might expect from the Welsh NHS. I have been shocked by some of what I have read in this report.

“I am determined that nothing of this sort will be tolerated in these two hospitals, in this health board or indeed anywhere else in Wales in the future. I am not going to pick and choose parts of this report. The actions we need to make have been made clear and must be taken as a whole.”

The report makes 18 recommendations, including four for the Welsh Government, which have been accepted in full.

Review calls for unannounced spot checks on standards of elderly care

The report calls for immediate improvements to standards of care at Princess of Wales and Neath Port Talbot hospitals.

It also wants to see a series of unannounced spot checks by a ministerial team of experts to check standards of care for elderly patients at district general hospitals in Wales.

The spot checks will focus on the delivery of medication, hydration, night time sedation and continence care. This work will be overseen by Prof June Andrews and Sir Ian Carruthers, who has held a number of senior roles in the NHS, including chief executive of NHS South of England.

A new task group, including the Chief Medical Officer and Chief Nursing Officer, will lead the operation of the spot checks and report back to the Health Minister.

All health boards in Wales will have four weeks to consider the report and its recommendations. They will be expected to carry out immediate checks on standards of medication, hydration, night-time sedation and basic continence care.

Prof Drakeford added: “I do not believe the failings outlined in this report are widespread in hospitals throughout Wales. But I am instigating a series of special spot checks in hospitals across the country to test standards of care and reassure patients.

“Let me be clear, while finding many areas of concern, the report also highlights what it describes as exemplary areas of care at both hospitals.

“It also makes it absolutely clear that what has happened in these hospitals is not and never has been the same as what happened at Mid Staffordshire NHS Trust. We have heard that accusation far too many times - this report puts that matter to rest.”

Older People’s Commissioner calls it 'unacceptable catalogue of failures'

Sarah Rochira, Older People’s Commissioner, said: “This shocking and absolutely unacceptable catalogue of failures undermines the many examples of excellent hospital care we have across Wales and will be of great concern to older people and their families.”

She wants the health board to learn from the Review’s findings and act upon the recommendations immediately to deliver the improvements needed to reassure older people that they will receive the highest standard of care.

She added: “More widely, health board chief executives and chairs across Wales must also consider the findings of this Review and need to consider whether they are confident that similar failures could not occur, and are not occurring, within their health boards and take immediate and effective action if they have any concerns whatsoever.

“Older people have a right to be safe, well cared for and treated with dignity and respect when in the care of our NHS and while there is much change already underway in Wales to improve hospital care, it is essential that the NHS continues to learn from the experiences of patients and that the pace of change increases to ensure that, wherever they live in Wales, older people receive the very highest standard of care while in our hospitals.”