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Aneurin Bevan University Health Board has “welcomed” the findings of a damning report into the level of patient care at its flagship hospital.

The Grange which is in Cwmbran but serves Caerphilly County Borough, had an unannounced inspection over three days in August this year.

A report from Healthcare Inspectorate Wales said the health board did not have adequate arrangements in place at A&E to support the delivery of safe healthcare. It said urgent improvement was needed.

The hospital, which was opened just two years ago, was found to have a number of issues at its emergency department – which serves all of the Gwent area.

These included the risk of Covid spreading, resuscitation equipment not being checked daily, out-of-date medicines and a lack of security around substances which could be harmful to the patients.

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.

Aneurin Bevan University Health Board said it welcomed the findings of the report and that it was “encouraged” HIW had highlighted the hard work of staff and improvements since its last inspection.

In a statement it said: “Like all hospitals across Wales and the UK, the Grange University Hospital continues to face extraordinary challenges due to staff shortages, increased demand and the after effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on people’s health.

“We are working hard to improve the experience of patients who visit the hospital. We recognise there are issues around the emergency department’s waiting area, but we would like to reassure people that work is already underway to increase capacity in this area.”

It added: “Whilst this is a nationally recognised problem, caused by system-wide pressures across health and social care, we are working hard to improve patient flow and reduce waiting times.”

Following the report’s publication on Thursday, November 10, the Welsh Government said it was giving the health board £3 million to help improve emergency care and an additional £260,000 to improve the hospital’s waiting areas.