Betsi Cadwaladr health board is facing prosecution by the Health and Safety Executive over a patient's death. The prosecution is the result of an investigation into the death of a patient at the Hergest Mental Health Unit at Ysbyty Gwynedd in April 2021.
The health board confirmed the prosecution in their weekly briefing, advising that the hearing is set to take place on August 3, 2023. The statement said: "This is a very tragic case and our hearts go out to the family and loved ones of the patient. We are unable to comment further until the hearing has concluded."
The HSE confirmed that the prosecution is the result of an investigation into the death of a woman who died at the facility on April 20, 2021. HSE has charged Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board with failing to discharge their duty under Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
Read more: Drakeford repeatedly challenged on criticism from former head of special measures health board
The health board has been at the centre of controversy in Welsh politics recently over its status in special measures. The First Minister Mark Drakeford has faced intense scrutiny over his comments regarding the decision to remove the health board from special measures in 2020.
The health board was put back into special measures earlier this year after a report raised concerns over "dysfunctionality" at the health board. Since then, the former chair issued a damning letter criticising the health minister and the Welsh Government.
Commenting on the news on Wednesday, Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for North Wales, Darren Millar MS said: “Many people will be shocked at news that the Health and Safety Executive is prosecuting the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board for exposing patients to risks which resulted in the death of a mental health patient in its care.
“The failure to get to grips with challenges in our mental health services in North Wales is nothing short of scandalous and the fact that this death occurred just months after the Health Board was taken out of special measures by the Welsh Government raises the questions as to whether that decision contributed to this tragedy.”
Rhun ap Iorwerth MS, Plaid Cymru spokesperson for health and care, and Member of Senedd for Ynys Môn, said: “My thoughts go out to the family involved in this patient’s case. The continued scandals surrounding Hergest and Mental Health services in BCUHB are hugely worrying and this tragic event – and others that we are aware of – unfortunately, demonstrate that Welsh Government and the Health Board have not had a firm enough grip on improving the service.
“This follows years of ongoing failings in mental health care in north Wales where patients have been exposed to risks. We can’t forget that Betsi Cadwaladr was first placed in special measures back in 2015 due to concerns with mental health services – the people of north Wales expect and deserve an improved service.
“This incident only reiterates that the health board was not ready to come out of those special measures when it did in 2020. Welsh Government must now get to the root cause of the issues within Mental Health once and for all.”
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