'Patient safety' concerns at hospital emergency dept, but staff praised

AN inspection of an emergency department in North Wales found “systemic challenges and several patient safety concerns” but a “committed and resilient team”.

- By OWEN HUGHES Chief Reporter [e-mail]

Healthcare Inspectorate Wales (HIW) has published a report following an unannounced inspection of the Emergency Department (ED) at Ysbyty Gwynedd (YG).

The inspection took place over three days in April 2025 and assessed the quality and safety of care provided to patients attending the department.

As with most EDs across Wales, the inspection identified ongoing systemic challenges affecting the department, impacted by poor patient flow through the hospital, due to delays in discharging patients.

Concerns included patients with weakened immune systems being sometimes cared for in open areas, medication storage temperatures exceeding safe thresholds, and inadequate staffing and oversight in the paediatric area.

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board said some specific changes had already been made in response to the concerns raised and that they “remain absolutely committed to making ongoing improvements”.

The report said: “Regardless of these challenges, inspectors observed several positive improvements since the previous inspection in August 2023, and clear examples of learning from the issues identified previously.

“Inspectors found a committed and resilient team striving to deliver safe and compassionate care. The department was found to be clean and well-maintained, with good infection prevention and control practices in place.

“However, it was concerning that patients with weakened immune systems were sometimes cared for in open areas, increasing their risk of infection.

“Staff were seen to communicate clearly with patients and made every effort to treat them with dignity and compassion and maintain their privacy to the best of their ability. However, this was more challenging for those cared for on trolleys in areas not designed to provide patient care, such as corridors.