Damning inspection report says Welsh A&E department presents a 'clear and significant risk to patient safety'

A Welsh accident and emergency department presents a "clear and significant risk to patient safety", inspectors have warned. Healthcare Inspectorate Wales (HIW) completed an unannounced inspection of A&E at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd, Denbighshire, across three days in May following a previous check last March.

While they praised staff for "working above and beyond in challenging conditions" during a period of "unrelenting demand", they found the department was not compliant with many health and care standards - some of which were deemed an immediate risk to the safety of patients.

HIW identified that Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, which runs the hospital, did not have adequate arrangements in place within A&E to support the delivery of safe healthcare. As a result, the emergency department was designated a 'service requiring significant improvement' (SRSI) on May, 9.