AN unannounced inspection on two Morriston Hospital wards found a number of concerns including the safe storage of medication and completion of patient documentation.
However, numerous examples of staff interacting with patients in a sensitive and caring manner were also noted.
Healthcare Inspectorate Wales (HIW) has published the report following an unannounced dignity and essential care inspection at the hospital part of the Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board (ABMU).
It took place on November 25 and 26 last year on Ward A (trauma, orthopaedic and admissions) and Ward C (the vascular unit). The results have only just been published.
A spokeswoman for AMBU said the health board was taking the concerns very seriously and "immediate action" had been taken.
Causes for immediate action, the HIW said, included a risk that medication could be accessed by unauthorised personnel and patients.
Inspectors said some drugs cupboards on both wards were unlocked and the drugs fridge on Ward C was also unlocked. Patients were also seen to be left unsupervised when taking their medication on Ward C.
Clutter and equipment blocking fire exits was also a point for concern for inspectors.
HIW chief executive, Kate Chamberlain said: "A number of concerns were highlighted by our visit which the health board has already started to address."
Another concern highlighted in the report was do not attempt resuscitation (DNAR) forms available in some patients' files; however on both wards there were forms in patient files which were incomplete, with no evidence discussions had taken place with the patient and/or the patients relatives.
The ABMU spokeswoman added: "The health board welcomes the independent report of Health Inspectorate Wales and takes very seriously the areas where the required standards were not fully met. Following the inspection immediate action was taken both on these specific wards and where appropriate across the health board."
An in-depth analysis of the full HIW report will feature in Saturday's Evening Post.
However, numerous examples of staff interacting with patients in a sensitive and caring manner were also noted.
Healthcare Inspectorate Wales (HIW) has published the report following an unannounced dignity and essential care inspection at the hospital part of the Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board (ABMU).
It took place on November 25 and 26 last year on Ward A (trauma, orthopaedic and admissions) and Ward C (the vascular unit). The results have only just been published.
A spokeswoman for AMBU said the health board was taking the concerns very seriously and "immediate action" had been taken.
Causes for immediate action, the HIW said, included a risk that medication could be accessed by unauthorised personnel and patients.
Inspectors said some drugs cupboards on both wards were unlocked and the drugs fridge on Ward C was also unlocked. Patients were also seen to be left unsupervised when taking their medication on Ward C.
Clutter and equipment blocking fire exits was also a point for concern for inspectors.
HIW chief executive, Kate Chamberlain said: "A number of concerns were highlighted by our visit which the health board has already started to address."
Another concern highlighted in the report was do not attempt resuscitation (DNAR) forms available in some patients' files; however on both wards there were forms in patient files which were incomplete, with no evidence discussions had taken place with the patient and/or the patients relatives.
The ABMU spokeswoman added: "The health board welcomes the independent report of Health Inspectorate Wales and takes very seriously the areas where the required standards were not fully met. Following the inspection immediate action was taken both on these specific wards and where appropriate across the health board."
An in-depth analysis of the full HIW report will feature in Saturday's Evening Post.
