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Healthcare Inspectorate Wales conducts first inspection of field hospitals

Healthcare Inspectorate Wales (HIW) has today [18 December] published the findings of inspections of two field hospitals - the first time it has inspected such settings.

The two surge capacity sites Ysbyty Enfys Carreg Las at the Bluestone resort near Canaston Bridge in Pembrokeshire and Ysbyty Enfys Selwyn Samuel in Llanelli were inspected by a small team in late October, before Hywel Dda University Health Board opened them to patients.

This was done to reduce the burden of inspection on the sites themselves when fully operational and provide rapid feedback ahead of the winter period, whilst also ensuring the safety of our own staff.

The inspection examined how the risks to patients’ health, safety and well-being are being managed in these temporary sites and overall, it found that appropriate processes were in place to provide safe and effective care to patients.

HIW’s Interim Chief Executive, Alun Jones said:

During the Covid-19 pandemic we have adapted our approach to inspection and assurance in recognition of the pressure that healthcare settings have working under and the administrative burden that inspection can place on a settings that is being inspected.

I’m pleased that we have been able to safely inspect two field hospitals ahead of the winter period and quickly provide reflections on what we found to those managing these settings.

The inspection report for the two field hospitals in Hywel Dda University Health Board are available here: www.hiw.org.uk/hywel-dda-university-health-board