Swansea Bay faces special report over unfinished waiting-list audit and training

Swansea Bay University Health Board’s failure to complete an independent waiting-list audit and staff training prompted a special report from the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales. Announcing the report on 10 September, the Ombudsman said both recommendations had been due by February 2026.

The special report is dated 27 August. It follows a public-interest investigation published in November 2025 into the handling of a patient’s wait for a knee replacement.

A waiting-time clock reset without notice

The patient, identified only as Mr W, had his waiting-time clock, the recorded length of his wait, inappropriately reset in October 2023. The investigation found no documented clinical decision that he was medically unfit for surgery before the reset. He was not told about the decision.

The case raised a wider question about whether waiting times were being recorded and managed correctly. Ombudsman Michelle Morris warned that other patients might be at risk of similar problems.

Audit findings and training required

The report gives the board three stages of work. Within four weeks, the board was required to provide an amended case study and evidence it had been distributed, supply an independent audit scope and timetable, and present the report to its Board.

Within twelve weeks, it was required to provide evidence of training developed to address the failings. Within sixteen weeks, it was required to supply the audit findings, evidence that affected patients had received apologies and corrected records, and evidence that revised training had been implemented.

Health board accepts the findings

In its public response, signed by chief executive Abigail Harris, Swansea Bay apologised for the shortcomings and said it accepted the findings and recommendations. The board said it was committed to implementing the identified actions.