Mental Health Solicitors

Healthcare Inspectorate Wales (HIW) has said that scrutiny at a mental health unit in North Wales had “failed to detect and respond to the concerns at an early enough point”.

BBC News reports that mental health patients at Glan Clwyd Hospital's Tawel Fan ward were “failed” – and families of patients at the hospital in Bodelwyddan, Denbighshire, allege their relatives were treated “like animals”.

The unit was closed after concerns were raised in December 2013.

On Friday (29/05/15) chairman of the North Wales local medical committee, Dr Eamonn Jessup, said that Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board was
“on the brink of an absolute crisis”.

An independent investigation into the unit by written by health specialist Donna Ockenden found a catalogue of poor care, including mental health patients being nursed on the floor and “a lack of professional, dignified and compassionate care” among staff.

The report also highlights incidences of unsupervised patients, as well as an environment which did not promote independence, resulting in restraint being used.

The report also said that regimes, routine and practice on the ward might violate individual patients' human rights.

The report concludes that the concerns raised amount to “institutional abuse”.

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board has apologised for the “inexcusable and unacceptable” treatment of patients at the mental health unit.

A spokeswoman said the health board said it was “realistic about the challenges it faces and the improvements which need to be made to regain the public's trust...” and added:
“…We will be undertaking a full investigation into how this situation could happen to ensure we can prevent something similar in the future.”

Director of the Royal College of Nursing in Wales, Tina Donnelly, said:

“Where areas of poor care are identified, it is essential that a proper investigation is carried out to find out if systemic failings or individuals' failure to deliver appropriate standards of care are responsible.

“If an individual is found responsible for poor standards of care, it is right and proper that he or she is held accountable.”

Chief executive of HIW, Dr Kate Chamberlain, said:

“We will also be using the learning from this event to look at our own arrangements for handling concerns to ensure that opportunities to intervene at an appropriate point are not missed.”

Healthcare Inspectorate Wales says it has increased the number of inspections carried out.

Duncan Lewis Mental Health Solicitors

Duncan Lewis is the UK’s largest provider of Legal Aid mental health services and can advise patients on a wide range of matters involving mental health care and access to services or detention under the Mental Health Act.

In some cases, Duncan Lewis mental health solicitors may also be able to advise the nearest relative or carer of a mental health patient on mental health issues, including initiating treatment reviews, if appropriate.

For expert legal advice on mental health law, call the Duncan Lewis Mental Health Solicitors Helpline on 0203 114 1124.