It follows an unannounced inspection of mental health services at Royal Glamorgan Hospital
The inspection was carried out at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital(Image: Rowan Griffiths)
Significant concerns about patient safety and quality of care have been highlighted at a Welsh hospital. Healthcare Inspectorate Wales (HIW) carried out an unannounced inspection of mental health services at Royal Glamorgan Hospital.
The inspection took place over three days in April 2026 at the hospital, which is managed by Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board.
It focused on the quality of care across ward 21, ward 22 and the psychiatric intensive care unit (PICU), which provides care for patients with the most acute mental health needs. For the biggest stories in Wales first sign up to our daily newsletter here.
Inspectors found that staff treated people with kindness, respect and compassion, and patients reported positive experiences of care.
Patients were supported by strong clinical processes, including thorough assessments, regular reviews of wellbeing and timely access to healthcare services.
Care and treatment plans and individual safety plans were comprehensive and regularly reviewed, and effective processes were in place to support safeguarding, care planning and multidisciplinary team working, the inspection found.
However, the inspection also identified a range of significant concerns affecting patient safety and the quality of care. HIW used its immediate assurance process to seek assurances from the health board in relation to significant environmental, infection prevention and control, and workforce safety concerns.
These included environmental issues across all wards, such as “damage to fixtures and fittings, infection prevention and control risks, and unresolved ligature risks where patients could potentially harm themselves”.
Estates records highlighted “multiple unresolved urgent and high-risk maintenance issues, alongside longstanding concerns and capacity pressures within estates services”.
Inspectors also identified low compliance with key safety-critical mandatory training, including life support, restraint, moving and handling, and fire safety.
Inspectors found that no staff had completed training in the safe use of portable oxygen cylinders, and inspectors were unable to confirm whether untrained staff had been involved in restraint incidents. Similar concerns were identified during a previous HIW inspection in 2023, indicating that risks previously escalated had not been effectively mitigated or sustained over time.
These findings reduced assurance that staff were consistently equipped to respond safely in high-risk situations.
Patients reported difficulties accessing therapeutic activities, outdoor space and some basic facilities. Inspectors found no structured programme of therapeutic activities across the wards, a vacant Activities Coordinator post and no dedicated occupational therapy support for patients in the Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit.
Issues relating to mixed gender accommodation and shared bedrooms on Wards 21 and 22 continued to affect patient privacy, safety and dignity.
HIW says it has set out clear expectations for improvement and will continue to monitor the health board’s progress in implementing and sustaining the required actions to ensure that patients receive care in an environment that is safe, dignified and supports their wellbeing.
Chief executive of Healthcare Inspectorate Wales, Alun Jones, said: “Our inspection revealed that direct care is delivered by staff in a compassionate way with patients commenting positively on it.
“However, the health board has not sustained improvements previously made in relation to significant issues, and long‑standing estates and environmental risks remain.
“Whilst these are not isolated findings, and reflect issues we continue to see across mental health settings in Wales, we expect the health board to take sustained action to address these concerns and ensure patients receive safe, high‑quality care.”
A spokesperson for Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board said: “The health board welcomes the findings from Healthcare Inspectorate Wales following its recent inspection of wards 21, 22 and the PICU at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital.
“The report reflects a number of strengths within our mental health services, and we were pleased that the Inspectorate recognised the delivery of safe, compassionate and effective care, alongside the positive experiences reported by patients. We were also encouraged to see feedback from staff regarding leadership and culture, and how this contributes to a supportive and collaborative environment.
“We acknowledge that there are areas where improvements are required. Where the Inspectorate identified issues requiring immediate assurance, prompt action was taken and action plans were implemented to address those concerns.
“It is encouraging to see that a number of the recommendations identified within the report have already been completed since the initial visit, and colleagues continue to work at pace to address the remaining areas, with a comprehensive improvement plan in place to support this activity.
“We remain committed to providing safe, effective and compassionate mental health care and will continue to work closely with staff, patients and partners to deliver the improvements identified in the report.”
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