First Minister Carwyn Jones has announced there will be an independent review into Operation Jasmine – the £11.6m investigation into alleged care home abuse.
Operation Jasmine was launched in 2005 after serious concerns were expressed about the treatment of a number of residents in six South Wales care homes.
Two of the care homes were owned by Dr Prana Das, but the case collapsed after Dr Das suffered a brain injury during an unrelated burglary at his home and could not stand trial.
Speaking to Assembly Members in the Senedd, the First Minister said: “I believe that we need a full and independent review of these events to understand whether there is anything else the social care sector and policy makers need to learn, anything else we need to put in place.”
He added: “I expect the review to speak with the families of those involved as well as the local authorities involved, the police, the professionals and the regulators.”
The review will be carried out by chair of Lancashire’s Safeguarding Adults Board Dr Margaret Flynn, who has previously been involved in serious case reviews.
Caerphilly MP Wayne David, who first raised concerns about abuse in 2005, welcomed the announcement.
He said: “I am very pleased that Carwyn Jones has listened to the relatives who have called for such an inquiry. It is the right thing to do and it is essential that lessons are learnt so that the abuse of elderly people in care homes does not happen again.
“It has been announced that Dr Margaret Flynn will lead the review. Dr Flynn is widely respected and has enormous experience, and I and the other Gwent Labour MPs will assist her in her work.”
Operation Jasmine was established in October 2005 after Gladys Thomas, 84, a patient at Bryngwyn Mountleigh nursing home in Newbridge, was admitted to Newport’s Royal Gwent Hospital after being given incorrect doses of medication. She later died.
A nurse at the home admitted neglect on the basis of not administering the correct medication.
Eight carers and nurses were charged with wilful neglect relating to injuries on her body but the prosecution dropped the case three weeks into the trial in 2008.
The £11.6m cost was funded directly by the Home Office and carried out by Gwent Police.
Dr Das, 66, faced charges relating to neglect and fraud at two care homes – Brithdir Care Home in New Tredegar and The Beeches in Blaenavon. A violent burglary at his home last year left him unable to stand to trial.
Plaid Cymru Social Services spokesperson Lindsay Whittle said: “Residents and their families have been failed by the system which was over-complex. I’m angry that £11m has been spent investigating this case which has seemingly been wasted with no one yet brought to justice.
“I appreciate a review is now taking place and we must ensure that something like this never happens again. The residents of care homes and their families deserve a strong voice in future,” added the South Wales East AM.
Gwent Police Chief Constable Jeff Farrer said: “This is a welcome development which will hopefully help the families of those affected.
“Gwent Police will provide any assistance and information as and when it may be required.”