“Justice delayed is justice denied” say Conservatives as Holden Report finally published
After years of attempting to prevent the publication of a report investigating a troubled hospital ward under its control, North Wales’ health board has finally released the Holden Report following an order from the Information Commissioner.
A review of the 42-bed Hergest psychiatric unit at Ysbyty Gwynedd in Bangor was commissioned after complaints by staff in 2013. A redacted summary of the report was released in 2015, but that did not stop calls for the publication of the full, unabridged version.
In June last year, the Information Commissioner's Office told Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) to release the full report after a Freedom of Information request, but it appealed against the decision, further delaying the findings’ release.
The long-awaited report revealed a “culture of bullying” and “low morale” among staff in the Hergest ward, which was said to be in “serious trouble” according to the report.
It also stated that “relationships between staff and managers at matron level and above have broken to such an extent that patient care is undoubtedly affected”.
A separate inquiry into the Tawel Fan ward at another North Wales hospital, Ysbyty Glan Clwyd, led to the Board being put into special measures in 2015. The board remained in this highest form of intervention for five and a half years when Labour ministers removed it in time for the election.
Commenting, Welsh Conservative and Shadow Minister for Health Russell George MS said:
“Justice delayed is justice denied, and Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board have long tried to delay the release of this report.
“The wait for the full Holden Report has long felt like a saga without end. Hopefully, this information will give those affected and their families the peace of mind they have long craved. However, that will only come if the Health Board learn lessons from this.
“The way the Board has behaved over the best part of a decade has been unacceptable and demonstrates a transparent pattern of behaviour revolving around a belief that they should not be held to account over sustained breaches of patient safety.
“Given the Board has been so reluctant to reveal the full report, it suggests that five and a half years of direct Welsh Government control did not persuade health bosses that they needed to change their attitude and readily admit fault when it is found.
“The constant reports, testimony, and news stories about this health board shows that the Labour Government in Cardiff Bay have overseen significant failings on a large scale over many years in North Wales’ NHS.”
Commenting, Welsh Conservative and Shadow Minister for North Wales Darren Millar MS added:
“I do not understand why it has taken so long to publish the report. It is clear that the Health Board have only done this because they have been forced to. It is devastating to hear from this report that patients have come to harm and been neglected.”