## Investigation Launched after Patients Nearly Undergo Surgery Without Consent at University Hospital of Wales
Serious concerns over patient safety have been raised at Cardiff’s University Hospital of Wales after two patients were almost operated on without providing proper consent. In a particularly alarming incident, one patient had reportedly already been anaesthetised when the error was discovered, narrowly avoiding an unconsented surgical procedure. This revelation comes at a time of increased scrutiny over practices at what is the largest hospital in Wales.
A whistleblower, who brought the issue to light, claims there have been multiple recent near misses involving patients being taken into operating theatres without appropriate consent documentation. In two specific cases detailed by the source, three sequential stages of formal checking failed before theatre staff eventually identified the serious omission. The hospital, which has faced a series of controversies in recent months, is now under pressure to address growing concerns around patient care and procedural integrity.
In response, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board has acknowledged the occurrences and launched a comprehensive review of its checking processes, promising to strengthen the systems to prevent any recurrence. A health board spokesperson detailed, “There are established processes and checks in place to ensure no patient undergoes a procedure without the appropriate consent. On these occasions, checks at the start of the pathway to theatre failed. However, the final checks before the commencement of surgery identified the errors, so neither patient underwent a procedure without consent.”
The near misses are the latest in a string of troubling events at the hospital’s operating theatres. Only last month, investigations were announced into claims that members of the public were allowed to observe surgeries without the patients’ knowledge or permission. The allegations, described by the health board as “deeply concerning,” remain under review, with several staff members reportedly facing investigations.
Further compounding public concern, the hospital has been the subject of an ongoing service review prompted by what whistleblowers have described as a toxic workplace culture. Allegations of racism, bullying, and even drug use among staff have surfaced, dating back to at least 2021. Staff have reported that concerns over unvetted access to theatres and unaddressed grievances have contributed to what has been characterised as “huge” staff turnover and persistent dissatisfaction.
Despite these ongoing problems, former Welsh Conservative leader Andrew RT Davies has called for an independent investigation into the hospital trust, a plea that the Welsh Government has so far not addressed directly. However, a government spokesperson did stress the seriousness with which these matters should be taken, underscoring the increased governmental and public scrutiny surrounding the health board.
Internally, the gravity of the situation appears not lost on leadership. Paul Bostock, the health board’s chief operating officer, addressed the issues in a candid letter to staff in January, noting that discussions with more than 60 employees confirmed “deep-seated issues,” vowing to make operating theatres a safer and more attractive place to work. The hospital management continues to face calls from staff and patients alike to ensure that both patient safety and workplace culture are addressed as a matter of urgency.
Addressing the latest consent lapse, the health board underlined its scale of operations, with around 2,500 patients treated in 40 theatres every month. “The majority of theatre procedures are undertaken without incident,” the spokesperson said, adding that “providing safe and high-quality care” remains the central focus. Staff are encouraged to make use of the ‘speaking up safely’ initiative—a process designed to enable employees to raise concerns without fear of reprisal.
Patient safety remains at the forefront of public and professional debate as Cardiff’s University Hospital of Wales moves to restore trust following recent events. The wider implications for health care practices, staff morale, and organisational transparency continue to spark demands for further reforms, scrutiny, and accountability in the months ahead.