Patients at Welsh hospital 'nearly had surgery' without giving proper consent

Wales Online

29-04-2025

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Two patients at a Welsh hospital were reportedly moments away from undergoing surgery without proper consent. One of the patients at Cardiff's University Hospital of Wales was understood to be already under anaesthetic when the mistake was caught "at the very last moment".
A whistleblower has claimed that the hospital, which is the largest in Wales, has seen recent instances where patients were almost taken into surgery "without a consent form, or with the wrong consent form". They claimed that on two occasions, three levels of pre-theatre checks failed before staff in the operating theatre spotted the errors, reports WalesOnline.
Cardiff and Vale University health board acknowledged being aware of two incidents where patients were brought to the operating theatres without the correct consent forms. In response, they have initiated a "comprehensive review" of their checking procedures to make them "ensure this is more robust". Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox
A spokesperson 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." Join the North Wales Live WhatsApp community group where you can get the latest stories delivered straight to your phone
Last month, it was reported that several staff members at the hospital were under investigation over allegations that outsiders were permitted to observe surgeries on unsuspecting patients. The health board confirmed it was investigating these "deeply concerning" claims.
Earlier this year, it was disclosed that the health board was conducting a "comprehensive service review" of the hospital's operating theatres following accusations of a toxic work environment, racism, bullying, and drug use.
Whistleblowers expressed frustration that the health board had not adequately investigated issues dating back to 2021 when staff allegedly allowed their friends and family into theatres to watch surgeries without any background checks and without informing patients.
A spokesperson for the Welsh Government said that these 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 penned an internal letter stating that discussions with more than 60 staff had made it "clear there are clearly deep-seated issues which we will address in order to make theatres an attractive place to work".
Whistleblowers have associated the "huge" staff turnover with alleged bullying. WalesOnline previously reported allegations that one staff member had been suspended after suggesting that a group of Indian nurses needed name badges because 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
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.
"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."