3. Urgent Question: The Bryn Hesketh Mental Health Unit

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 3:15 pm on 5 October 2016.

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Photo of Vaughan Gething Vaughan Gething Labour 3:15, 5 October 2016

I don’t think it is helpful to refer back to the particular events at Tawel Fan as a catch-all to try and beat the service across the piece in north Wales. There is a serious allegation that has been made about patient care, and I’m pleased, actually, that that member of staff felt able to raise that issue. The health board acted properly and appropriately. I think that’s an indication of what should have happened in the past, and didn’t in certain areas. That, I think, does show some progress and recognition of what needs to change.

The health board is in special measures, as everyone knows from the updates I have openly given in this Chamber and in writing. Mental health services in north Wales do need to improve significantly. It’s the scale of the challenge that is a significant part of the reason why I announced previously that the health board would be in special measures for a two-year period. We are part way through that. I don’t expect the service to be perfect now, I really don’t. It wouldn’t be realistic. The challenge is how they make progress from now. So, they do have a new and experienced director of mental health services. I’ve met him, and I’m impressed with his commitment and the message that he has given about needing to review and reform the service. So, that is something about having a proper strategy with buy-in from the public and from the staff, and that will mean some change.

But the particular issue that you raise in the question, perhaps, doesn’t really go back to that wider strategy. The strategy is important. The delivery will be important. We’ll have external reassurance, and there’ll be regular reports from me about those reassurance meetings. We have the Wales Audit Office, Health Inspectorate Wales and the chief exec of NHS Wales to review progress against special measures. I expect to see progress, and if progress isn’t being made, I expect to be advised properly about where that progress has not taken place. I will have an eye on mental health services across north Wales. I will pay particular attention and time to it, as I have done on each visit to north Wales. So, this is a serious issue. It needs to be dealt with seriously, and I expect to be open and honest with Members in this Chamber and beyond about what progress has been made and what is still yet to come.