Hospital hides the truth about 'strangers being let in to watch ops'

Wales Online

10 hours ago

Hospital hides the truth about 'strangers being let in to watch ops'
There has been a complete lack of transparency after serious allegations from whistleblowers
The University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff
(Image: Huw Evans Agency)
Earlier this year we revealed allegations that staff at University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff had invited their own friends and family members into operating theatres to watch surgery on unaware patients. When we put this to Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, it vowed to investigate the claims and called them "deeply concerning".
Five months on, we feel the same description applies to the health board's handling of the situation. It has concluded its investigation but won't tell us the outcome because of "s tandard HR practice". It refuses to even say whether the allegations were found to be true, or whether any changes will be made to prevent a repeat.
The Welsh Government simply parroted the health board's line but our sources at the hospital — as well as politicians from Plaid Cymru and the Tories — are furious. To understand why, it's important to look at a wider context of scandals around Wales' biggest hospital.
When we first reported on the claims of unauthorised spectators, we also revealed claims of illegal drug use, racism and bullying in the hospital's operating theatres. Those claims were probed in a separate investigation — a "comprehensive service review" — which concluded in May with a damning 22-page report that found:
An "atmosphere of fear" had gone "a long way to destroying the bonds which allow people to work effectively together".
Some anaesthetic practitioners were not always in theatre for the whole operation, instead watching Netflix in the anaesthetic room.
Female staff felt unable to leave anything of value in the changing room because of the "regularity" of theft, which included money, phones, computers and clothing going missing.
Staff felt there were "no consequences" after an illegal drug — understood to be speed — was allegedly found in the locker of one employee.
There were "several occasions when pigeons were found in the trauma theatre or on the theatre corridor" as well as concerns over chronic leaks, faulty equipment, poor lighting and infection control problems.
"Inappropriate and racist remarks" were made by a senior leader who said a group of Indian nurses needed name badges because they "all looked the same".
When I attended the press conference for the release of that report, I asked questions about disciplinary matters — and, crucially, I did get answers. Health board bosses told me what had happened to the staff member accused of possessing speed (he continued to work at the hospital after a "full disciplinary process") and the manager who allegedly made racist comments ("removed from practice while a formal investigation occurred", then returned to work).
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They also told me there could still be disciplinary action over some of the other findings. So why, a few months on, is the health board hiding behind "HR practice" to justify concealing its findings into the claims of strangers watching ops? Bear in mind the 22-page report went into lengthy detail on all kinds of allegations while still leaving the door open for disciplinaries. What makes this different?
It's not clear why the unauthorised viewing of operations wasn't covered in the comprehensive service review, and instead got its own investigation. The complete lack of transparency after that investigation will inevitably lead to suspicions of a cover-up.
'An absolute joke'
In 2023 the Welsh Government set up Llais, an independent body aimed at giving the public more influence in shaping health and social care. After the scathing report into operating theatre practices, Llais demanded "full openness and independent checks to make sure improvements happen".
Yet when we raised the issue of the latest findings being kept secret, the Welsh Government would only say: 'We take all concerns about patient safety seriously. The health board has completed its investigation and the matter is now concluded subject to its HR process.'
So the health secretary, Jeremy Miles, is content with the findings remaining hidden? When we asked, his spokeswoman simply said it was "a matter for the health board".
One hospital whistleblower told us that stance "just boils my blood", adding: "Those people were in theatre when they shouldn't have been. It's an absolute joke. Why won't they tell us the outcome?"
Andrew RT Davies, MS for South Wales Central and former leader of the Welsh Tories, questioned why the findings could not be made public with names redacted. He told WalesOnline: "Many service users feared that a health board-led investigation would result in a cover-up, and the failure to share the outcome of the investigation will only add to those fears.
'This failing health board has been found wanting in numerous reports, and hiding behind HR processes will do nothing to restore the confidence patients and staff need to have in the senior management team.
'Clearly an investigation should have been made by an external body but, in any case, there is no reason why the health board should not share the outcome of this investigation, with appropriate redactions, so service users can understand what happened and why following the shocking revelations that came out of the Heath hospital earlier this year.
'If the health board refuses to release the outcome, the Welsh Government must step in, conduct their own investigation, and release the facts to the public.'
Also calling for transparency is Plaid Cymru MS and health spokesman Mabon ap Gwynfor, who said: "The health board must ensure that the scenes that played out in University Hospital of Wales are never repeated. We must now see appropriate and effective action taking place which means proper transparency in regards to their findings.
"It's clear that there are fundamental issues within our NHS regarding institutional transparency and the power of the patient voice. That is why Plaid Cymru is committed to reforming the governance of our health system, to strengthen oversight and accountability so that patients receive a better outcome."
'Brushed under the carpet'
Earlier this year the health board told us that "previous concerns regarding unauthorised people in theatres had been raised but not thoroughly investigated or completed", adding: "Following the deeply concerning allegations made around allowing members of the public to watch operations, the health board has launched an internal investigation."
The concerns were understood to have started as far back as the Covid pandemic. Staff told us they had been ordered not to speak about the matter as it was "brushed under the carpet" . A whistleblower claimed: "They had no background checks and it was during Covid. The very little PPE [personal protective equipment] was being used by unnecessary people. They would have been a huge infection risk to not only staff but vulnerable patients."
One source said the concerns over operations being watched had been "raised so many times" since the pandemic but had only been investigated after WalesOnline reported on the matter.
The health board has now said: "The investigation is complete and, subject to HR process, has been concluded by the health board. As is standard HR practice, we cannot comment on confidential matters. The report relates to specific individuals who are subject to an internal process following the appropriate employment policy. This process must remain confidential, and the health board is not in a position to share this in the public domain.
'We would like to reassure patients that their privacy, dignity and safety when undergoing surgical intervention remains our highest priority and steps have been, and continue to be, taken to ensure that this is consistently achieved.'
What those steps are — and exactly why they needed to be taken — remains a mystery. If public confidence in this troubled health board is to be restored, that has to change.
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