Leaked report exposes turmoil at failing mental health unit

> Hafan y Coed, a mental health facility at Llandough Hospital

- CONOR GOGARTY

A RECRUITMENT freeze is worsening the turmoil at a troubled health board, according to a report leaked to the Western Mail.

Last week it was revealed one of the most senior figures at a Cardiff and Vale university health board, had been removed from his position amid serious failings in mental health services.

Now we can give more insight from a report that lays bare the desperate state of mental health provision at the organisation, which runs the University Hospital of Wales and various other facilities.

The report, from external investigators, highlights a long list of problems including that a recruitment freeze has been "impacting care"; risks have been "under-reported"; and a need for "new leadership".

The Welsh Conservatives told us the findings "paint a deeply concerning picture of mental health services under significant strain".

Plaid Cymru said the problems were systemic and the result of "years of inaction and weak governance" under the Labour Welsh Government.

In response the health board said there was not a "full" vacancy freeze and that its mental health services were under "significant" pressure from high demand.

One of the health board's most controversial facilities is the Hafan y Coed mental health unit in Llandough hospital.

We recently revealed the horrendous experiences of patients at the unit, which has been criticised by Healthcare Inspectorate Wales for a lack of improvement despite years of scathing inspection reports.

Last year the Welsh Government announced a "targeted intervention" into the health board due to "serious concerns" over governance, culture and safety. Investigators from a consultancy called 36 Degrees were sent in to find out what was going wrong with mental health services.