Showing posts with label mental health in north wales. Show all posts
Showing posts with label mental health in north wales. Show all posts

Thursday 28 May 2020

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





























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.