Lesley Griffiths, Minister for Health and Social Services and the Deputy Minister for Children and Social Services
This was published under the 2011 to 2016 administration of the Welsh Government
The appalling abuse suffered by vulnerable adults at the Castlebeck owned Winterbourne View Care Home, near Bristol cannot be tolerated. Assembly Members have, understandably, sought assurances about the care provided to people who have been placed in the care of Castlebeck or any of its sister organisations.
An Assembly Member asked for advice as to whether any Local Health Board has used a Castlebeck facility or any sister organisations for the care of patients in Wales and, if so, which companies have been used and what inspections have been carried out in relation to these homes. I agreed to provide a Written Statement when this information was available.
Castlebeck does not operate in Wales. Castlebeck, however, has two sister organisations who do operate in Wales - Mental Health Care UK, a company providing specialist mental health and learning disability services, and Barchester Homes, a provider of residential care homes.
Local Health Boards have placed 43 patients in the following facilities in Wales operated by Mental Health Care UK:
- Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board St David’s independent hospital, Corwen
- Plas Coch independent hospital, St Asaph
- New Hall independent hospital, Ruabon
- Highfield Park Care Home , Llandyrnog
- Powys Teaching Health Board Holland House Care Home, Denbigh
The regulation and Inspection of the independent hospitals is undertaken by Healthcare Inspectorate Wales (HIW). HIW has undertaken routine inspections of the three independent hospitals in North Wales within the last six months. HIW found areas of non-compliance with a number of regulations and also areas for improvement in relation to standards of care. HIW has received action plans from the three organisations and is closely following up on all matters identified. A programme of visits for 2011/12 by HIW to all independent learning disability establishments across Wales has also been commenced.
The regulation of the care home facilities at Highfield Park and Holland House is undertaken by Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales (CSSIW). CSSIW has recently undertaken an in-depth programme of unannounced inspections of all the Mental Health Care UK care home facilities in North Wales. CSSIW, generally, was content with the outcome of the inspections but has also highlighted areas where improvement was required.
Local Health Boards have placed 141 patients in the following facilities in Wales operated by Barchester Homes:
- Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board Bradshaw Manor Care Home , Rhyl
- Bod Hyfryd , Care Home, Flint
- Rhiwlas Care Home Flint
- Powys Teaching Health Board Awel y Mor Care Home , Swansea
- Rhallt Care Home , Welshpool
- Aneurin Bevan Health Board Awel y Mor Care Home , Swansea
- Cardiff and Vale University Health Board Hafan y Coed Care Home , Llanelli
- Hywell Dda Health Board Maes Teilo Care Home, Llandeilo
- Pant yr Odin Care Home, Ammanford
- Cartref Croeso Care Home, Carmarthen
- Dan y Graig Care Home, Kidwelly
- Glangarnant Care Home, Ammanford
- Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board Maes Teilo Care Home. Llandeilo
- Awel y Mor Care Home , Swansea
11 Local Authorities have placed 53 patients in facilities operated by Barchester Homes.
The regulation and inspection of the facilities operated by Barchester Homes is undertaken CSSIW. All of the care homes have been subject to inspection by CSSIW and, at the present time, only one home has outstanding inspection requirements.
HIW and CSSIW will keep us informed of any issues arising from the outcome of their inspection programmes.
This statement is being issued during recess in order to keep Assembly Members informed.
Should Assembly Members wish me to make a further statement or to answer questions on this when the Assembly returns, I would be happy to do so.