Mrs X - Age Cymru comment
Published on 04 January 2013 11:30 AM
Commenting on a report from the Public Service Ombudsman for Wales into failings in the care received by Mrs X - a dementia patient, at the Blue House Care Home, Age Cymru's Graeme Francis says:
"We must all be able to access high quality care services for ourselves and our loved ones, and be certain that we will be treated with dignity and respect when we entrust care to others.
"Clearly, as identified by the Public Service Ombudsman for Wales, there were major shortcomings in the care received by Mrs X, with her personal hygiene, dietary requirements and physical safety neglected.
"Of most concern to us is that Mrs X's final wish to die in her own bed surrounded by her family was ignored, because it had not been properly written into her care plan.
"Whilst there are many examples of good care in care homes across Wales, Age Cymru is calling on the Welsh Government to work with health boards across Wales to urgently investigate and address failings in standards of basic care where they occur.
"There must also be mandatory human rights and dignified care training for frontline health and social care staff in Wales to ensure that dignity is always maintained."