Health Inspectorate Wales has released a report based on a further unannounced inspection of Glan Clwyd Hospital’s Emergency Department, conducted between November 28-30, 2022.
Dr Nick Lyons, executive medical director and interim deputy chief executive of Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, said:
“Firstly, I would like to apologise for the instances where patients did not receive the level of care they deserved. I note the inspection team’s comments surrounding improvements since the last report but it is clear we still have some way to go in providing a service in our emergency department which is consistently good for every patient.
“It is true staff within the Emergency Department at Glan Clwyd Hospital have been under enormous strain for the past three years and this has increased since restrictions eased.
“Attempts to attract permanent members of staff to support the ED’s work continues and another recruitment open day is planned within the next few weeks.
“However, the fragility in staffing and the volume of acutely unwell people we receive each day means we remain a service requiring significant improvement.
“The vast majority of our colleagues are a credit to our organisation and we value their hard work and professionalism. We will continue to strive to make sure they feel supported by colleagues in other specialties and their hospital management teams.
“I note with pride the inspection team’s comments about how hard our staff work and their commitment. I’m also pleased the majority of patients they spoke to are happy with the care they receive within the department.
“Record keeping has improved and the inspection team noted the commitment of our staff to give the level of care we would all want to see.
“Despite the issues raised in the report the inspection team acknowledged progress has been made but we know this needs to accelerate.
“Our colleagues within ED, and in other areas of the hospital, are fully focused on driving this change forward and we are pleased to see the proportion of patients moving through the department within four hours continuing to rise.”