Declaring today the 'saddest' contribution of her time in the Senedd as she spoke on the scandal of the publication of the delayed Holden Report, the Member of the Welsh Parliament for Aberconwy – Janet Finch-Saunders MS – has called on the Welsh Government to require all health boards to publish reports routinely and in a timely manner in the future.
Her intervention comes having raised concerns about the handling of the Holden Report by the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, eight years after it was completed. Based on the evidence provided by interviewees during the investigation which took place in 2013, the report found that a breakdown in staff and manager relations at Hergest Unit, Ysbyty Gwynedd, put patients at risk. Amid a culture of bullying and low morale, it also concludes that patient safety concerns were not addressed.
Speaking after her contribution, Janet said:
“The harrowing testimony of overworked frontline staff in the Holden Report should give all officials severe pause for thought. It is plainly unacceptable that a report of this importance, formed from 700 pages of testimony provided by 45 members of staff, was kept out of the public domain for so long.
“During a meeting with the Chairman and Chief Executive Health Board last week, I was reassured that future reports will be written with public publication in mind. However, I hope that the Welsh Government will now look to require all health boards to publish reports routinely and in a timely manner, so as to improve transparency and patient trust.
“I have long raised concerns that the findings of the Holden report, which included expansive notes on the understaffing of wards to the point that basic physical care and attention to personal hygiene was neglected, are merely reflective of enshrined issues at the Health Board.
“Indeed, frontline staff within Older People's Mental Health Services have consistently reported significant concerns around staffing levels and lack of engagement with the senior management team within mental health.
“Constructively, alongside a refreshed 10 year Mental Health Strategy, I was pleased to stand with my Welsh Conservative colleagues to call for a new Mental Health Act which would update legislation and now look to rectify the issues raised about mental health provision in North Wales.
“Never again do I wish to rise and speak in the Senedd to debate such serious mismanagement failings. As a Member who has been around for more than one term, I can firmly say that this is one of the saddest contributions I have had to make. I trust that the Minister will be forthcoming with a formal apology to the patients, families and staff affected.”
ENDS
Photo: by Hush Naidoo Jade Photography on Unsplash
