Number of beds reduced in hospital ward due to 'refurbishment work'
A hospital in Rhondda Cynon Taf will be temporarily reducing the number of beds on its dementia assessment ward while refurbishment work is carried out.
The number of beds in the Seren ward at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital will go down from 30 to 20 from the start of January.
The hospital says the work, which will involve removing existing walls and building new ones, is necessary to ensure patients "continue to be treated in a high-quality environment".
The health board says that patients who need a hospital assessment during the refurbishment work will be admitted to Seren ward if beds are available or to a bed elsewhere in Cwm Taf Health Board area until one becomes free on Seren ward.
Ombudsman's report: Cwm Taf Health Board acknowledges 'failings'
We reiterate our sincerest sympathies to Mrs Y’s family following her death in May 2010, and apologise for the distress caused as a result of the failings identified within the report.
We accept the Public Services Ombudsman’s findings in respect of this case and work is ongoing within the health board to address the report’s recommendations.
– Allison Williams, Chief Executive, Cwm Taf Health Board
Ombudsman: Cwm Taf Health Board 'missed opportunity' to diagnose and treat woman who died
A woman who complained to Cwm Taf Health Board about her mother's treatment has had her complaint upheld by the Ombudsman for Wales.
The daughter complained that after taking her mother to Royal Glamorgan Hospital clinicians failed to take appropriate action after a blood test result indicated that she could have thrombosis.
Her mother died two days after she was discharged in May 2010.
Pulmonary thromboembolism was recorded as the main cause of death.
The Ombudsman said that the daughter believes if prompt action had been taken after the result came back as positive then her mother's death could have been prevented.
An investigation found that the test was seen by a nurse before the mother was discharged and that her blood result was positive.
It found that the test result did not seem to have been "appropriately considered, if at all" by the doctor who made the decision to discharge her, or by the consultant who had overall responsibility for her care.
The Ombudsman concluded:
"The failure to consider and act on the positive test result before making the decision to send the mother home fell below an acceptable standard of care. This failing gave rise to a missed opportunity to make the correct diagnosis and to treat her appropriately.
" The treatment that should have been given might have prevented her death.The investigation also identified a number of additional failings on the part of the health board."
The complaint was upheld by the Ombudsman and it was recommended that the health board should provide explanations and an apology to the patient's daughter.
The health board was told to pay £5,000 to Mrs Y's family.