‘Two Betsi managers relocated after death at Hergest unit’ claim
Plaid blasts ‘premature’ move to bring BCUHB out of special measures
TWO managers were relocated after a woman was found dead at a North Wales mental health unit, it is claimed.
The death, at Ysbyty Gwynedd’s Hergest Unit in Bangor, came on April 20, five months after the Welsh Government announced it was bringing Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB), out of special measures.
The provisional cause of death has been given as hanging at an inquest into her death.
Plaid Cymru claimed yesterday it may have been “premature” to bring the health board out of special measures in November.
Plaid Cymru says a letter from a whistleblower reveals senior staff have been moved from posts following the suicide of a patient in April.
The party said these allegations have been confirmed by BCUHB chief executive Jo Whitehead, who was alerted to the anonymous letter by Healthcare Inspectorate Wales (HIW).
Ms Whitehead confirmed to HIW the West Head of Operations and the West Head of Nursing had been “relocated” to take up “alternative” duties, and an external investigation into the death would commence.
It has been eight years since concerns raised by staff at the Hergest Unit were first documented, and eight years since Robin Holden was commissioned to undertake an investigation into the unit.
Mr Holden’s findings preceded another report at another BCUHB mental health unit, which led to the board being placed in special measures in June 2015.
BCUHB was taken out of special measures in the run-up to the Senedd elections.
But Plaid Cymru’s health spokesperson, Rhun ap Iorwerth MS, says “questions must be asked” and that the Welsh Government should be held accountable for the “premature” decision.
He added: “Questions must be asked how Betsi Cadwaladr was able to come out of special measures when serious problems within mental health units clearly persist.
“Staff have told me in recent days that problems of underinvestment and under-resourcing still haven’t been addressed.
“Enough is enough. Welsh Government must accept responsibility for addressing these long-running and deeprooted issues.
“If no decisive action is taken, these tragic episodes will continue, leaving an ever-growing list of bereaved families with unanswered questions.”
Ms Whitehead said yesterday: “There is an independent investigation taking place.
“It would not be appropriate for us to speculate on the findings of this independent investigation at this stage.
“We are unable to comment publicly on individual staff matters.
“However we can assure that all staff will be treated fairly and in accordance with our values and polices.
“We encourage and welcome staff to raise concerns and we are confident the independent investigation will provide the Health Board with objective facts and recommendations.”
The board did not comment on Plaid’s suggestion that it may have been brought out of special measures prematurely.
The Welsh Government said BCUHB “continues to be in targeted intervention”.
A spokesperson added: “Improvements have been made, but there are four key areas, including mental health, that require significant action on the part of the organisation and these are accompanied by a level of continued oversight from Welsh Government.
“We have committed a further £82m per year over three and a half years to support the health board as it enters a new phase under targeted intervention.”
They said that this “substantial” investment will be used to “improve unscheduled care, build sustainable planned care, including orthopaedics, and in mental health services.”