Showing posts with label #BCUHB. Show all posts
Showing posts with label #BCUHB. Show all posts
Thursday 21 January 2021
Saturday 5 September 2020
Silence From Unison And Unite Trade Unions. #BCUHB
With regard to the Robin #Holden report into Institutional Abuse at #BCUHB dated 2013, snippets of the report have appeared in the media informing of staff in tears and at the end of their tether working in the North Wales NHS mental health units. Issues of bullying are also said to be raised within the report.
The Information Commissioner had ordered BCUHB to release the report but the Board have refused and are appealing the ICO's decision. The Tribunal has a date of early 2021...
Local Trade Union branches in North Wales were recently approached for their thoughts and reaction to the report by the North Wales Community Health Council into Vascular services at BCUHB and in particular the worry of increased limb loss amongst patients. The use of antibiotics was also raised as a concern.
That report, dated 8th October, 2019, can be found here -
http://www.wales.nhs.uk/sitesplus/documents/900/Exec%20Minutes%2008102019%20%28APPROVED%29.pdf
It is a PDF document that will not open a new page but will be downloaded to your pc.
#Unison branches in the area were reluctant to give any response, some did not even acknowledge the question of if they were going to make a public statement on the damning report.
The decision by the local union officers to make no statement regarding the treatment of staff and the patients within the health board has come as a surprise to many members, especially after the shocking revelations now being made in the local press.
Now I may have expected too much from Unison as I am not a member so I approached my own union, Unite.
An acknowledgment was received from the BCU branch secretary and senior workplace rep, with regard to my inquiry, excerpts of which are reproduced below -
...concerns come through the recent review of the Board's Vascular Services and in particular claims of those in fear for their careers if they speak out.
Have the Trade Unions had contact with the Board and what has been the response from senior managers within the organisation - if any ?
There is also the issue of the Board discharging 1700 mental health patients from their services and the LA's having to pick up the pieces - during the lockdown.
The senior workplace rep, duly responded and on the 2nd June, said that they would be discussing with the regional officers and get back to me.
By early August, there had been no further response. I then came across a discussion on Twitter involving the Holden report and tagged both local Unison and Unite accounts into the thread hoping one would join in the conversation.
Whilst Unison did not respond - Unite simply blocked me...
The Unite rep did eventually get back to me via Facebook -
"As you are not a member of the BCU branch and you are not an employee of BCUHB I can’t provide you with that information im afraid. If you require information you will need to address your concerns to the Regional Secretary Peter Hughes at the Cardiff Office."
Any union members that have concerns regarding work practices or whistleblowing in BCUHB may be better informing the regional organisers outside of the BCUHB region. The same goes for any Unison or Unite members within the local government organisations of North Wales.
The Unite rep did eventually get back to me via Facebook -
"As you are not a member of the BCU branch and you are not an employee of BCUHB I can’t provide you with that information im afraid. If you require information you will need to address your concerns to the Regional Secretary Peter Hughes at the Cardiff Office."
Any union members that have concerns regarding work practices or whistleblowing in BCUHB may be better informing the regional organisers outside of the BCUHB region. The same goes for any Unison or Unite members within the local government organisations of North Wales.
Something is very wrong within the local government organisations of North Wales.
Thursday 21 May 2020
#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.
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.
Saturday 9 May 2020
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.
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.
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