Autism - The Ombudsman For Wales And Cyngor Gwynedd Council.

On the 4th July, 2018, the Ombudsman for Wales published a Report into the case of an autistic individual and his mistreatment at the hands of Gwynedd Adults SS department.

The Report can be found here -
 http://www.lukeclements.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Ombudsman-Gwynedd-Council-report-201700388.pdf

The Ombudsman for Wales Investigating Officer in this case was a Beverley Allen.

Her report is truly shocking especially when you consider some of the points highlighted -

"Mr A would seek reassurance from, or be influenced by, those present when responding,which meant that he would readily agree to an action without understanding what had been discussed or its impact".

Would those actions include asking the client whether he really wanted these services ?

Being in a Residential Home, this person would have had a key worker, assigned by the home's care team to support him during his assessment and guide him through the process.

From the I/O's report -

"Instead, the Residential Home re-allocated a significant portion of Mr A’s support hours to bridge gaps in its staffing needs".

A private, residential home used the client's taxpayer funded, commissioned hours to cover for their own staffing problems.

At least, we now know why there was no-one to support the person when his care plan was being deleted before his eyes....

Oh yes - no need to worry - of course we care - just sign here.

All support gone with the person being left to rot in bed.

In the Ombudsman's report, the I/O states -

69.In my view, these failings not only caused Mr A a significant injustice but also impacted upon Article 8 of his Human Rights.11 However, I have decided that the finding I have made of maladministration is so clear and so serious that to consider the human rights issues further would add little value to my analysis or to the outcome. I have therefore decided to say no more about that.

To my knowledge, the Cabinet Member for the Adults SS, Dafydd Meurig, has still not presented this report for scrutiny by Councillors and the public. Why not ?

Five Ombudsman Reports in four years critical of policy and behaviour of both Gwynedd Adults and Childrens departments. One in which a vulnerable person died.
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The Officer for the Ombudsman, Beverley Allen, also recommended improvement in the areas in which the Council had so obviously failed and her recommendations were accepted by the Council in full.

These included -

81 (f) Reviews its process on monitoring commissioned services for adults.

(g) Undertakes a review of its ASD procedures, specifically those for adults and children with high functioning ASD, and ensure that the requirements of the SSWA 2014, MHM 2010 and ASD SAP have been met.

(h) Undertakes an audit of its ASD trained officers, identifies any shortfall and arranges appropriate training within the following 12 months.


Due to the disingenuous nature of some Councils behaving with little regard for Law and Government agencies, the Ombudsman is meant to have a robust system to check that Councils actually keep to their word after long and costly investigations.

It is usual for the Investigating Officer, in this case, Beverly Allen, to ensure that LA's implement the Recommendations. The I/O's  know best the issues raised and have sighted all evidence of the case in point. The Ombudsman's policies ask for proof that the improvements have been completed and in the agreed timescale.That is to include proof of Council committee meetings when policy change is needed.

Whilst the Council agreed to undertake the review and ensure that the requirements of the SSWA 2014, MHM 2010 and ASD SAP have been met within the agreed timescale - there is no evidence that the Council have kept to their word.

Why has the Ombudsman for Wales robust procedures not picked up on this failure by the Council ?

A recent FOI request to the Ombudsman for Wales has provided evidence that the Council, at that time, openly admit to not yet carrying out this review.

More on that here - https://gwyneddsfailingcouncil.blogspot.com/2020/01/an-ombudsmancyngor-gwynedd-council-and.html

Regardless of this, the Ombudsman then signed off on compliance, we do not know if such a review has since been undertaken, nor if the requirements of Law have been met.
               
This case - involved untrained council officer's behaving in a way that caused injustice(s) to and impacted on the human rights of a 'high functioning' autistic adult with mental health issues, features in the Ombudsman's casebook on Equality and Human Rights 2019/20.

Is the complainant Mrs X aware, that after surviving the Gwynedd Council Complaints Procedure then to bring a case to the Ombudsman for Wales which highlights apalling behaviour by council officers, that the recommendations in her son's case were not complied with as agreed to.

In the Ombudsman's casebook he rightly points out that the issue of people's Human Rights being trampled on by Government agencies must stop.

Joe Public can not do that alone, Mr Bennett.

It would be interesting to have the thoughts of the actual Investigator in this case.

Something is very wrong within Gwynedd Council.

More Problems With Data - #BCUHB North Wales.

One week ago, the interim CEO of Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board reported that between 200-300 Mental Health patients had been 'wrongly discharged'.

From the BBC -
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-52729237

Simon Dean, stated the decision was an "error that should not have occurred".

Who is responsible for making the decision to discharge nearly 1700 vulnerable people and how was it done ? Phone call ? Letter ?

Once again, the Board has failed  in its reporting of accurate information.

Today's, BBC article reveals more of the reality of the situation -
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-52827479#

The true figure is 1,694.

 Rhun ap Iorwerth, MS for Ynys Môn, received a letter from the Board with the corrected figures.

Along with yet another apology from Simon Dean - 

"I would like to say how sorry I am for any distress that may have been caused."

Figures from the third sector Mental Health services, such as Mind Cymru and Hafal show a four fold increase in calls from patients seeking support. 
Support which many in North Wales report as non-existent or so poor to be of little use - for years.

Mental Health services encompass not only Health services but Social Care, too. Disability services may also be involved. Some patients may even require Safeguarding.

Why no statement from the Local Authorities's in North Wales concerning BCUHB's decision and the extra pressure that LA's would come under by nearly 1700 vulnerable people being discharged ?

What of the private Care Homes whose clients will include vulnerable people with Learning Difficulties or Acquired Brain Injury ? Have they been discharged ?

Figures for those who have died during this pandemic in these Care Homes must be made public ? 
Along with data for Care homes for the elderly.

Now it is usual in these circumstances that Board members resign.
No resignations should be accepted at this time.

What is needed is a public inquiry into the failings of the Board and the Senior Managers over the five years it has now been in special measures - lumbering the taxpayer with £60 Million of debt this year alone.

Where is the voice of those workers on the ground who know of the problems ?
Statements from the local Trade Unions would be very interesting.

#Unison #Unite

Failings Within North Wales Vascular Services - #BCUHB

The Extraordinary Meeting of Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board held on the 21st May, 2020, to discuss the Review of its Vascular Services was a complete shambles.

From the 'technical' difficulties experienced through to the final decision by the Board to review the Review. Were part of the technical difficulties caused by some Board Members complaining they were not comfortable being on screen for the meeting ?

The Report - described as a whitewash by members of the public and some employees - is highly critical of the Health Board and its decision to close the vascular services at Ysbyty Gwynedd and centralise the service at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd.

The Review raises many questions for diabetics and renal patients and some of the data for limb loss and antibiotic use should be of high concern for everyone.

Ultimately, it is yet another report into Local Government Organisations in North Wales that raises issues of bullying and staff fearing for their jobs if they speak out.

Sitting on the Board from Gwynedd are R. Medwyn Hughes, County Councillor for the Hendre ward, Bangor and Morwena Edwards, who is an Associate Director of Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board.

Morwena is also the Director of Cyngor Gwynedd Social Services - both Adult and Children's Departments.
 
There have been 5 Ombudsman for Wales Investigations highly critical of the departments that Mrs Edwards has overall responsibility for - in the last four years

There may be more as these Departments have a history of sitting on critical Reports, whilst trumpeting mediocrity.

One Ombudsman's Report highlights an Independent Investigating Officer feeling 'overwhelmed' and 'bullied' after a meeting with Head of Department, Marian Parry Hughes and the senior Operational Manager. Aled Gibbard amongst others to change the findings of her Report.

More on that here -  https://gwyneddsfailingcouncil.blogspot.com/2019/06/bullying-cyngor-gwynedd-council.html

Four to five pages regarding a Social Worker undertaking an inadequate assessment of an autistic child's needs and the withholding and censoring of personal information by a senior manager deleted along with Recommendations for improvement.

To someone with no knowledge everything looks rosy in the garden - the data is false.

Recommendations for improvement and to create a pathway for autistic individuals to receive support and SS assessment have been agreed to - so where is it ?

Concerns that the legal documents and data are being manipulated to cover for bad behaviour and poor management have been raised with a Cabinet Member but as yet no response has been forthcoming.

Now the Ombudsman for Wales had arranged a phone call conversation with the Director, Morwena Edwards, to discuss matters of non compliance of Ombudsman's recommendations.

This call was arranged three weeks in advance but the Council cancelled the meeting one hour before the arranged time and the Council told the Ombudsman that they would be sending a letter instead.

This letter did obviously not impress the Ombudsman as the CEO was then summoned to discuss non compliance - alongside other agenda items, in Cardiff.

Concerns have been raised that the story as explained by the CEO and the Senior Safeguarding Officer to a Gwynedd Care Scrutiny Committee is misleading. Questions have been asked concerning the truthfulness of the Officer's statements but no answer has been forthcoming.

Officer's promoted above their abilities ? A social worker being moved to a third sector organisation to protect reputations ? - and their pension ? Social workers lying and senior managers colluding in cover up ?

All that is missing is a sex scandal..... 

Something is very wrong within both Gwynedd Council and BCUHB.

#BCUHB Abandons Mental Health Patients During Lockdown ?

#MentalHealthAwarenessWeek

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board have been lambasted for their failure to report daily death rates due to #Corona in North Wales leading to a large spike in figures for Wales. A 'glitch' using the Goverment system was given as the reason for the failure but the full report is yet to be released by either BCUHB or the Welsh Government.

A BBC article dated May 1st, informs that all is not well within Ysbyty Glan Clwyd, either.

Especially it's Vascular Services - 

'Vascular staff are in fear for their career if they complain -
Patients are "fearful" of using the service....
In its final and as yet unpublished report - based on 14 public consultations and one consultation with staff - the CHC says there remain grave concerns surrounding the provision.

It says some staff felt "unable to use whistleblowing procedures" and notes those raising concerns were said to be "often subsequently subjected to disciplinary action".

The report says staff "have a perception that it is dangerous to their careers to raise concerns about patient safety with senior managers"

More - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-52499099#

The Health Board is also between £45 and £60 Million pounds over budget. It is hard to get an accurate figure in this regard, too. The Board have been paying an 'adviser' £1,990 a DAY to work from his home in Marbella but that contract has now ended due to the Corona virus.

More on 'Marbella Man' here - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-52510497

On the 20th May, the BBC reported that Mental Health patients are being discharged and ordered to seek re-referral through their GP's.

The North Wales Community Health Council's chief officer, Geoff Ryall-Harvey, is quoted saying there was "no reason why patients with pre-existing mental health issues should be discharged".

"At this time patients need professional support more than ever," he said.

"We are informed by local GPs that the number of patients presenting to them with mental health problems is increasing and, post Covid-19, could be problematic."

Now the Plaid Cymru MS for Ynys Mon, Rhun ap Iorwerth, states -

"Government needs to be looking at ways to step up support for those with mental health problems. Instead, here we have doctors being told to discharge them."

But the Welsh Government say the advice was "not in line with our guidance." - newspeak for nothing to do with us ?

More on the BBC article - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-52729237

Now it is usual when organisations fail that the CEO falls on his/her sword and resigns.
But any chief is only as good as those who are appointed to support him/her.

A quick glance at the members of the Health Board show the problem may be more systemic -

https://bcuhb.nhs.wales/about-us/health-board-meetings-and-members/health-board-members/

The BCUHB website lists Simon Dean as the Interim Chief Executive. Mr Dean left this position in 2016.

Copy and paste the links into your browser.

Cyngor Gwynedd Council Covid19 Confusion Over Payment Criteria

The recent opinion article, dated 7th May, 2019 by Dafydd Meurig, Deputy Leader of Cyngor Gwynedd Council in Nation.Cymru is highly critical of Welsh Government's performance during the Covid19 crisis.

https://nation.cymru/opinion/a-shambolic-welsh-government-have-offered-no-leadership-for-local-government-in-this-crisis/

Gwynedd Council's deputy leader writes that delivery of the original testing regime was 'farcical' and involved sending 15 names of symptomatic employees to Data Cymru who then send the names to Public Health Wales who would then send the names to BCUHB (in this case) for them to arrange testing with each individual.

These tests were then 'to be driven to Cardiff for analysis'. Public Health Wales would then send the results to Data Cymru to send the results to the Local Authority to inform the person of the result.

Farcical indeed if true.

Mr Meurig goes on to complain about second home owners and says that £18 million from Welsh Government would have found their way into 'the pockets of some second home owners, who live outside the area'. Adding -

'Cynically some of these second home owners have flipped their property over to the Business Rate system in order to avoid paying any Council Tax at all'.

'The drawn-out discussions and delay has resulted in thousands of genuine holiday businesses having to wait weeks for their payment'.


But two weeks previous on the 24th April, the Leader of Cyngor Gwynedd Council,  Dyfrig Siencyn is quoted in the North Wales Chronicle.

“We are pleased that the minister has listened to us and changed the business guidelines available to support small rural businesses in Gwynedd and other counties across Wales,” said Cllr Siencyn.

The government’s new guidance states that three specific clauses need to be adhered to:

Self-catering accommodation produce two years of trading accounts to 31 March 2019

Self-catering accommodation must let the property for 140 days or more in the financial year 2019-20

Self-catering accommodation business must be the primary source of income for the owner (minimum threshold is 50%).

He adds -

“Whilst we did not agree with the exact wording of the changes to the guidelines, we’re confident that the changes will mean that no second home owner will be able to claim this grant money without presenting evidence that the majority of their income derives from the property.


Why was the Deputy Leader not informed of the successful change to the guidelines before publishing his article two weeks later. Has the confusion amongst Members led to any delay in payments to local businesses ? How many payments have been released so far ?

For the full article copy and paste the address into your browser -
https://www.northwaleschronicle.co.uk/news/18403296.welsh-government-shuts-second-home-grants-loophole/

Dafydd Meurig, is also Cabinet Member with responsibility for  Gwynedd Council's Adult SS.