(Title Image: Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board)
Betsi Cadwaladr health board has admitted that 1,694 mental health patients were wrongly discharged from support services during the coronavirus pandemic.
The health board – which serves north Wales and has been in Welsh Government special measures for five years following the Tawel Fan scandal – moved to reassure patients that mental health referrals were continuing at normal and that all affected patients would be contacted.
Darren Millar MS (Con, Clwyd West) demanded an apology to patients from the health board, while Rhun ap Iorwerth MS (Plaid, Ynys Môn) suggested that mental health services in north Wales needed to be completely rebuilt.
The Welsh Government said: “We are aware of correspondence discharging patients from Local Primary Mental Health Services in north Wales during the pandemic. Although they were provided details for contacting crisis services, this is not in line with our guidance.”
