Investigation findings on hospital-acquired COVID-19 to be provided to patients

Patients who caught coronavirus in North Wales hospitals during the pandemic will be contacted by Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board.

The region’s health board is writing to individuals, or the next of kin of patients who have died, that contracted the virus in hospital to inform them about the findings of investigations into the care provided at that time.

During the height the coronavirus pandemic high numbers of patient safety incidents of nosocomial (hospital-acquired) COVID-19 were recorded, affecting approximately 18,000 service users/families across Wales.

Earlier this year Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board wrote to 1,594 people to tell them a review would be conducted of all patients who may have caught COVID-19 in hospital.

Now patients and loved ones will be contacted by letter with a further update.

The health board says this is “part of process to investigate all such cases as part of the National Nosocomial COVID-19 Programme.”

A spokesperson for Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board said: “The letter will provide information about the outcome of any investigation into potential or actual harm, as well as an apology and acknowledgement of what happened, what was known at the time and the next steps.

“In 2023, letters were sent to 1,594 people to tell them a review would be conducted of all patients who may have caught COVID-19 in hospital.

“To support people at this difficult time they were invited to contact us through our Healthcare Associated Infection COVID-19 telephone service. As well as providing support, this allowed us identify and collate themes to help drive improvement in our services.

“It is only through reflecting on their experience that the organisation can learn. We also offered bereavement support information.

“The Health Board will now write to those people again to tell them about the outcome of that review and what action can be taken if they are not satisfied with the outcome.

We understand that receiving this letter some time after their experience of the impact of Covid-19 could be upsetting and we are sorry for the additional distress this may have caused.

“Once again, we will invite those people with questions or concerns to contact us through our Healthcare Associated Infection COVID-19 telephone service so that we can capture their experiences and offer the necessary support.