
Two patients 'nearly had surgery' without proper consent
Two patients 'nearly had surgery' without proper consent
One had already been anaesthetised by the time the error was discovered, we understand
University Hospital of Wales in Heath, Cardiff
(Image: WalesOnline/Rob Browne )
Two patients at a troubled hospital reportedly came close to going under the knife without giving proper consent. One of the patients at Cardiff's University Hospital of Wales was already under anaesthetic by the time staff realised the error "at the very last moment", WalesOnline understands.
A whistleblower said the hospital - the biggest in Wales - has recently had near misses involving patients entering operating theatres "without a consent form, or with the wrong consent form". In two cases, they said, three stages of the checking process failed before theatre staff eventually noticed the mistake.
Cardiff and Vale University health board said it is aware of two "occurrences of patients arriving to theatres without the appropriate consent forms" and has launched a "comprehensive review" of checking procedures to "ensure this is more robust".
A spokeswoman for the health board said: "There are a series of processes and checks in place to ensure no patient undergoes a procedure without the appropriate consent. On each of these occasions, checks at the beginning of the pathway to theatre failed.
"However, final checks prior to the commencement of the surgical procedure identified the error. This meant that neither patient underwent a surgical procedure without consent."
Last month we revealed multiple staff members at the hospital were under investigation over claims that strangers were allowed in to watch surgery on unaware patients. The health board confirmed it was probing the "deeply concerning" allegations.
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And earlier this year we revealed the health board was undertaking a "comprehensive service review" of the hospital's operating theatres after claims of a toxic culture, racism, bullying and drug use.
Whistleblowers voiced anger that the health board had not properly investigated concerns dating back to 2021 when staff members allegedly allowed their friends and family into theatres to watch surgery with no background checks, and without telling patients.
A Welsh Government spokesman told us those concerns "must be taken seriously" but did not respond to calls from former leader of the Welsh Tories, Andrew RT Davies, for an independent investigation.
In January, the health board's chief operating officer Paul Bostock wrote an internal letter stating that discussions with more than 60 staff had made "clear there are clearly deep-seated issues which we will address in order to make theatres an attractive place to work".
Whistleblowers have linked "huge" staff turnover to alleged bullying. We previously reported allegations that one member of staff had been suspended after saying a group of Indian nurses needed name badges as they "all looked the same".
Sources claimed the staff member returned from suspension and took diversity classes but was then suspended again over further allegations of bullying and racism.
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Addressing the consent concerns, a health board spokeswoman said: "Cardiff and Vale University health board operates on approximately 2,500 patients each month across 40 theatres. Most theatre procedures are undertaken without incident."
She added: "Our focus remains on providing safe and high-quality care, and patient safety is always of utmost importance to us. We would like to remind colleagues of the importance of the health board's 'speaking up safely' process, which enables all colleagues to speak up and raise any concerns they have with the confidence that their voices will be heard, and suggestions acted upon."

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Wales Online
14 hours ago
- Wales Online
DWP names groups most likely to lose PIP under new rules
DWP names groups most likely to lose PIP under new rules Thousands are now expected to lose their payments under the government's proposed changes, including some with very common medical conditions The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has outlined the groups most likely to lose their PIP entitlement under upcoming changes to the benefit (Image: WalesOnline/ Rob Browne ) The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has outlined the groups most likely to lose their PIP entitlement under upcoming changes to the benefit. The department estimates that around 370,000 current claimants will miss out in the coming years after the changes from 2026. An impact assessment, released in March, also forecasts that 430,000 future PIP claimants will not qualify for the disability benefit once the reforms are implemented, resulting in an average annual loss of £4,500 each. The DWP has carried out an analysis of PIP claimants who did not score four points in at least one daily living activity across 18 of the most prevalent disabling conditions. These conditions were selected as they constitute the largest proportions of PIP caseloads. Minister for Social Security and Disability Sir Stephen Timms disclosed the findings of the analysis in a written response to Liberal Democrat MP Victoria Collins, , reports the Daily Record. For money-saving tips, sign up to our Money newsletter here . Mr Simms said: "A breakdown of the impact of the reforms on disability overall has been published as part of an Equality Analysis of the Spring Statement package of measures." He added: "Data on the health conditions of Universal Credit claimants being placed in the LCWRA has been published and will continue to be taken into account in the future programme of analysis." Article continues below The minister concluded: "Analysis of those who do not score four points in at least one daily living activity for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) has now been undertaken." He noted the findings table "shows the volume of claimants with the 18 most common disabling conditions in receipt of the PIP daily living component in January 2025, as well as the volume and proportion of these claimants who were awarded less than four points in all 10 daily living activities." Notes accompanying the DWP's breakdown reveal that the classification of the health condition is based on the primary health condition as recorded in the PIP computer system at the time of the latest assessment. Although many claimants suffer from various health issues, only the primary condition is considered for this analysis. Here is a summary showing the most prevalent health conditions for PIP, along with the number of comments in the reciept of the PIP daily living component and those who were allotted fewer than four points across all daily living activities as of the end of January 2025: Back Pain - 194,000 claimants, 154,000 (79%) scored less than 4 points Arthritis - Out of 279,000 claimants, 13,000 (6%) scored under four points. Other Regional Musculoskeletal Diseases - With 136,000 claimants, 97,000 (71%) scored under four points. Chronic Pain Syndromes - From the 173,00 claimants, 97,000 (71%) received under four points. Cardiovascular Diseases - Among 61,000 claimants, 38,000 (62%) fell below the four-point mark. Respiratory Diseases - Of 83,000 claimants, 45,000 (55%) tallied less than four points. Multiple Sclerosis and Neuropathic Diseases - Of the 80,000 claimants, 38,000 (48%) were given less than four points. All Other Conditions - A total of 272,000 claimants, where 126,000 (46%) scored less than four points. Other Neurological Diseases - 97,000 claimants, with 35,000 (36%) scoring less than four points. Cerebrovascular Diseases - 56,000 claimants, with 19,000 (34%) scoring less than four points. Cancer - 70,000 claimants, with 23,000 (33%) scoring less than four points. Epilepsy - 36,000 claimants, with 11,000 (30%) scoring less than four points. Other Psychiatric Disorders - 90,000 claimants, with 25,000 (28%) scoring less than four points. Cerebral Palsy and Neurological Muscular Diseases - 47,000 claimants, with 11,000 (24%) scoring less than four points. Psychotic Disorders - 112,000 claimants, with 26,000 (23%) scoring less than four points. ADHD/ADD - 75,000 claimants, with 14,000 (19%) scoring less than four points. Autistic Spectrum Disorders - 206,000 claimants, with 13,000 (6%) scoring less than four points. Learning Disabilities - 188,000 claimants, with 7,000 (3%) scoring less than four points. Other disabling conditions that makeup smaller portions of the PIP caseload are included in the 'Other Conditions' category. This encompasses conditions such as: Visual Diseases Other General Musculoskeletal Diseases Endocrine Diseases Hearing Disorders Gastrointestinal Diseases Genitourinary Diseases Skin Diseases Autoimmune Diseases (Connective Tissue Disorders) Infectious Diseases Diseases of the Liver, Gallbladder or Biliary Tract Haematological Diseases Metabolic Diseases Multisystem and Extremes of Age Diseases of the Immune System Anxiety and Depression Anxiety disorders - Other / type not known Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) Stress reaction disorders - Other / type not known Generalised anxiety disorder Phobia - Specific Phobia - Social Agoraphobia Panic disorder Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) Anxiety and depressive disorders - mixed Conversion disorder (hysteria) Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) Dissociative disorders - Other / type not known Somatoform disorders - Other / type not known Depressive disorder Bipolar affective disorder (Hypomania / Mania) Mood disorders - Other / type not known Daily Living component in PIP You might be eligible for the daily living component of PIP if you require assistance with: eating, drinking or preparing food washing, bathing, using the toilet, managing incontinence dressing and undressing talking, listening, reading and understanding managing your medicines or treatments making decisions about money mixing with other people How difficulty with tasks is assessed The DWP will evaluate how challenging you find daily living and mobility tasks. For each task, the DWP will consider: whether you can do it safely how long it takes you how often your condition affects this activity whether you need help to do it, from a person or using extra equipment The descriptors Your ability to perform each activity is gauged against a set of standard statements describing what you can or cannot do. The assessment involves identifying the relevant descriptors for each activity, with guidance from a health professional, who will inform the DWP of the applicable descriptor for each activity. A comprehensive guide, along with a downloadable points system, is available on the Citizen's Advice website, detailing the points awarded for each response. An example provided illustrates the six descriptors for 'Dressing and undressing', ranging from 'Can dress and undress unaided' to 'Cannot dress or undress at all', each carrying a points score between 0 and 12. Assessment Considerations for Aids and Appliances The evaluation of your capacity to perform daily living and mobility activities will take into account the use of any aids or appliances that it would be reasonable for you to utilise, regardless of whether you typically use them. The use or necessity of aids and appliances can potentially increase your points score. According to Citizens Advice: "An aid is any item which improves, provides or replaces impaired physical or mental function. It doesn't have to be specially designed as a disability aid. Examples include a stool you need to sit on when cooking, or a walking stick to help you stand." Daily living scores Citizens Advice clarifies that to be eligible for the daily living component of PIP, you must have a physical or mental condition that restricts your ability to carry out some or all of the activities listed below. The maximum PIP points that can be awarded for each question are clearly indicated. Daily living activity: Preparing food - 8 Taking medication - 10 Managing therapy or monitoring a health condition - 8 Washing and bathing - 8 Managing toilet needs or incontinence - 8 Dressing and undressing - 8 Communicating verbally - 12 Reading and understanding symbols and words - 8 Engaging with other people face to face - 8 Making budgeting decisions - 6 Points and payment rates Upon completion of all the daily living activity questions: If you get between 8 and 11 points in total - you will be awarded thestandard rate of PIP If you get at least 12 points in total - you will be awarded theenhanced rate of PIP Upon completion of all the mobility activity questions: If you get between 8 and 11 points in total - you will be awarded thestandard rate of PIP If you get at least 12 points in total - you will be awarded the enhanced rate of PIP According to the most recent DWP statistics, as of the end of January, there were 3.7 million PIP claimants across Great Britain. Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall has previously stated that over 1,000 PIP claims are being granted daily, underscoring the need for welfare reforms to ensure future sustainability. Subject to parliamentary approval, the proposed changes are set to take effect in November 2026. The reforms also propose an increase in face-to-face assessments. Currently, most are conducted remotely via phone, video call, or paper-based methods. Article continues below However, there will be no freeze on PIP payments, which will remain non-means-tested and will increase in line with the September inflation rate. There will be no alterations to the mobility component. You can participate in the UK Government's consultation on proposed changes to PIP and the benefits system on here.

Leader Live
19 hours ago
- Leader Live
North Wales MS shares his time at Wrexham Maelor Hospital
MS for North Wales June 8th marked the 10th anniversary of Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board first being placed in special measures. Speaking in the Welsh Conservative Debate calling on the Welsh Government to initiate a Public Inquiry into the Health Board, I referred to my own experience as a patient at Wrexham Maelor Hospital, 'where the staff were brilliant, but the system was clearly breaking', and said 'Llais North Wales, the people's voice in health and social care, told me two weeks ago that the Health Board remains the primary concern reported to them'. As Chair of the Cross-Party Group on Disability I met the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice ahead of her Statement on the Welsh Government's Disabled People's Rights Plan. Responding to the Statement in the Chamber later, I quoted the Chair of the Disability Rights Taskforce's Housing and Community Working Group, who said the draft document was 'a smokescreen' rather than a Plan, and asked how the Welsh Government will ensure that this leads to real change rather than becoming, as he put it, 'a collection of vague intentions dressed up as progress. No targets. No teeth. No real-world accountability'. I asked the Cabinet Secretary for Finance to respond to the concerns of Wales' disability sector that the UK Government's proposed reforms to disability benefits risk further disabling people in Wales by compounding poverty and exclusion. Responding to the Statement on 'Volunteers' Week' by the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, I praised voluntary sector organisations but expressed concern at the 'avalanche' of cuts in the sector following the Welsh Government's failure to protect the funding for the vital services they provide, thereby generating false economies and far higher cost pressures for statutory service providers. I Chaired a meeting of the Senedd Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee, which included an evidence session with the Welsh Government on Active Travel in Wales. Other engagements included meeting Ukrainian frontline journalists and Ukrainian war crimes investigators from 'Truth Hounds'; Polish Heritage Days 2025 Celebration; Gylfinir Cymru/Curlew Wales meeting, as Wales Species Champion for the Curlew; and 'Transforming Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Diagnosis in Wales'. I also met the Chief Executive Officer of Rhyl-based not-for-profit organisation RCS, Wellbeing for Work; met the All-Wales Deaf Mental Health and Wellbeing Group (AWDMHWG) and Dr. Christopher Shank from Bangor University, to discuss the AWDMHWG Deaf Health Project through Bangor University; visited The Vale Grocer at Denbigh Farmers Market; and. watched 'Tick, tick…Boom!' at wonderful Theatr Clwyd, Mold. For help, email or call 0300 200 7219.


Pembrokeshire Herald
2 days ago
- Pembrokeshire Herald
New equipment will help locate NHS patients' veins
Patients in Pembrokeshire left stranded without NHS dentists as new centralised 'portal' plan sparks concern PEMBROKESHIRE MP Henry Tufnell has published the results of a major survey exposing the scale of the dentistry crisis in West Wales — with 88% of respondents saying they do not have an NHS dentist. Henry Tufnell MP Now, with the Welsh Government proposing sweeping reforms to NHS dental services, concerns are growing that continuity of care could worsen and families may be forced to attend separate dental practices under a new centralised system. Mr Tufnell said the responses to his survey were 'shocking' and pointed to a system 'failing to meet the needs' of Pembrokeshire residents. Survey findings at a glance: 88% of respondents do not have an NHS dentist 60% tried to register but were told no places were available Over one-third have not seen any dentist at all Most reported emergency-only care or temporary treatment Families cited long travel distances, unaffordable costs, and health deterioration from delays In some cases, residents described waiting up to 16 years for an appointment. One patient was diagnosed with jaw cancer after multiple emergency visits, and a parent reported paying over £2,000 privately for their son's treatment. Mr Tufnell has presented the findings to Hywel Dda University Health Board (HDUHB), which is responsible for managing local NHS dental contracts. He has pledged to work with the board and local dentists to push for urgent reform. 'Patients are suffering, and services are falling short,' Mr Tufnell said. 'Our local dental professionals are doing their best, but they are trapped in a system that simply isn't working.' Centralised 'Dental Portal' proposed The survey comes as the Welsh Government launches a public consultation on radical new proposals to tackle the growing backlog and access problems in NHS dentistry. The plan would see all adult patients placed on a central waiting list, called the Dental Access Portal, and then assigned to any surgery within the health board area — not necessarily their local or regular dentist. Under the new model: Patients would only remain with a surgery while actively receiving treatment Those with healthy teeth would be recalled for a check-up every 18–24 months Children would remain with their initially assigned dentist Some charges would increase (e.g. routine check-ups rising from £20 to £24.75), while others would drop (e.g. single crowns falling from £260 to £239.15) Health Minister Jeremy Miles said the proposed changes aim to improve fairness and make NHS dentistry more attractive to providers. 'When people need to see a dentist, they'll be able to access one — that's the critical thing,' he said. BDA and dentists voice serious concerns But the British Dental Association (BDA) and frontline dentists have warned that the proposals risk undermining continuity of care and could accelerate the move towards private dentistry. Dr Lauren Harrhy, a dentist from Pontypool, said the system may become saturated: 'There is a risk that practices will be overwhelmed with complex cases and won't be able to return patients to the central system — blocking new access entirely.' Others warned the changes could split families between surgeries and discourage patients from attending regularly, while offering no new funding to support the transition. Dr Harj Singhrao, a dentist in Newbridge, said: 'This could be devastating. If people are punished for looking after their teeth — and families are split across surgeries — it breaks trust and continuity.' Voices from the public Local voices speak out: 'A total mess' As Pembrokeshire MP Henry Tufnell released the results of his dentistry survey, social media erupted with hundreds of personal stories and strong opinions about the crisis — and what the Welsh Government plans to do about it. Years without care, soaring bills Emma Roach shared her struggle: 'I haven't seen a dentist in seven years… I've got bleeding gums, probably need fillings, and can't afford even the check-up. I just paid £97 for new glasses — it's a mess. I'm a vet nurse, single parent, and even my 12-year-old son doesn't get free NHS dental care.' MelJane Bainee added: 'My daughter has always looked after her teeth. Now we've been told it could cost up to £5,000 to fix a dental issue — and we're not getting any help.' Others reported resorting to private schemes. 'Paying £45 a month now because of the mess of my teeth not being able to access a dentist for so many years,' wrote Abigail Louise Evans. Fury over government priorities Abi Hallett criticised local spending priorities: 'I think the money pledged for a footpath from Narberth to Haverfordwest… would be much better spent on providing some NHS dentistry.' Another comment read: 'On the day we find out Mark Drakeford is giving £36 million of Welsh taxpayers' money to Starmer, we're here without NHS dentists. Fund care in Wales first!' Warnings over Welsh Government's reforms Kirsty Fisher didn't hold back: 'The new Welsh Government dental contract is the final nail in the coffin. They're driving NHS dentists out by making the contract unworkable. Stop blaming the practices — it's government policy doing this.' Dan Chambers described the cycle many patients face: 'Get registered, get seen once, place shuts down, repeat.' Mary Dempsey added: 'If you're an NHS patient, they declare you fit after your check-up. They won't do any preventative care, especially in the elderly.' Mixed views on Henry Tufnell's efforts While some praised the MP for raising the issue, others questioned the impact. 'Does Henry live in cloud cuckoo land?' asked Ian Sturley. Myles Lewis-McGinley wrote: 'While I appreciate Henry's efforts, this has happened under 26 years of Labour in Wales. These problems didn't appear overnight.' Kevin Lloyd asked the MP directly: 'Do you use NHS dentistry yourself, or private? And how many people actually filled in this survey?' Others were more sceptical of all political parties. Mike Gideon Hodgson commented: 'Reform aren't going to make things better either — the whole political system needs reforming, not just the party.' MP calls for local solution Henry Tufnell told The Herald: 'This isn't just about waiting lists or contracts — it's about people's lives. The heartbreaking stories in my survey make one thing clear: reform must be grounded in patient care and local accountability, not bureaucracy.' The public consultation on the new proposals remains open until Wednesday, 19 June.