Regulator says Grange Hospital patients not receiving acceptable standard of care at A&E

Patients are not consistently receiving an acceptable standard of care at the Grange Hospital, a damning report by Healthcare Inspectorate Wales has said.

The flagship hospital of Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, which is in Cwmbran but serves Caerphilly County Borough, had an unannounced inspection over three days in August this year.

A report has found the health board did not have adequate arrangements in place in the department to support the delivery of safe healthcare with urgent improvement needed.

HIW inspectors felt the processes and systems in place were insufficient for patients to consistently receive an acceptable standard of care.

A number of issues were found including a risk of cross-contamination in an area known as the ‘Covid corridor’, resuscitation equipment was not being checked daily, out-of-date medicines were found and there was a lack of security around substances which could be harmful to the patients – including medication and prescription pads.

They found staff trying to deliver good quality care to patients but not always being able to because of increasing pressure and demand.

During the inspection, some patients had been left waiting for more than 15 hours. Some in the backs of ambulances, others on uncomfortable chairs in the cramped waiting room.

HIW said that without an improvement in patient flow, addressing concerns raised would be challenging to the health board.

Alun Jones, Chief Executive of HIW, said: “Our inspection findings are extremely concerning and we have urged the health board to take action to improve the processes and systems in place within the emergency department so that patients receive safe, timely and effective care.

“I hope this report will accelerate the measures taken to drive forward timely improvements. We will be working closely with the health board to ensure robust improvements are made and evidenced.”

Aneurin Bevan Health Board has been asked by Caerphilly Observer for its response.

A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “We continue to support improvement to emergency departments through a range of measures. We are providing an additional £25m this year to transform urgent and emergency care services across Wales, with Aneurin Bevan UHB receiving £3m.

“We have also provided an additional £260k to the health board for improvements to its emergency department waiting areas this winter.”

“A struggling hospital”

Plaid Cymru MS for South Wales East, Peredur Owen Griffiths last month called for a review into NHS capacity after he revealed monthly average ambulance waits of 2,000 hours.

He said: “This report paints a disturbing picture of a struggling hospital.

“Despite the best efforts of the dedicated staff at the Grange, patients are waiting for far too long in a hospital waiting room that is too small and too uncomfortable.

“This flagship hospital was only officially opened last year and it beggars belief that such fundamental flaws have become apparent so soon.”

He added: “The Labour government needs to get a grip on the bottlenecks that are causing major problems for patients and staff alike. Until they do, patient satisfaction and staff morale will remain lower than they should be.”