North Wales MS Mark Isherwood has challenged the Welsh Government over statements made by Ministers in recent months claiming that the recommendations of the 2013 Holden Report, published last year, documenting failings on the Hergest Mental Health Unit in Bangor, have been implemented.
Calling for an oral statement on Mental Health Services in North Wales in yesterday’s meeting of the Welsh Parliament, Mr Isherwood quoted from sources who state that the issues raised in the report are still in existence, despite claims by Ministers in the Senedd Chamber over the past five months that they have been addressed.
Speaking in the Chamber, Mr Isherwood said:
“On 29th September, the Health Minister told the Senedd that a piece of work to ensure that the recommendations of the 2013 Holden Report, documenting failings in a North Wales Mental Health Unit, ‘provided assurance that action was taken and remains in place against each of the recommendations of the report’.
“This, despite a Healthcare Inspectorate Wales Report the previous week confirming that the recommendations had not been met.
“On 8th December, the Deputy Minister for Mental Health and Well-being told the Senedd ‘The health board took action at that time to address the issues raised, and commissioned work to ensure that the Holden recommendations had been implemented’.
“However, a Healthcare Inspectorate Wales Report on 23rd December confirmed that the issues raised by whistle-blowers in 2013 were still in existence, including the profiling beds used by patients to commit suicide in December 2020 and April 2021.
“The next day North Wales Community Health Council’s Chief Officer emailed me: ‘In the light of the recently released Holden report we can be sure that Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board cannot be left to implement recommendations without close oversight’.
“The Ministerial Code states ‘it is of paramount importance that ministers give accurate and truthful information to the Senedd, correcting any inadvertent error at the earliest opportunity. Ministers who knowingly mislead the Senedd will be expected to offer their resignation’.
“I call for a Statement here from the Ministers identified accordingly.”
The Trefnydd, Lesley Griffiths MS, responded:
“Well, the Minister for Health and Social Services is in the Chamber and will have heard your statement, and if she has anything further to add, I'm sure she will write to the Member.”
Speaking after the meeting, Mr Isherwood said:
“Although the seriousness of this issue cannot be over-exaggerated, the Minister’s contrived response was dismissive. This is a matter of serious concern and significant public interest, which should be subject to the full weight of public accountability.”