Urine sample found in vaccine fridge at GP surgery, 'damning' report finds

A urine sample was found in a vaccine fridge in a Neath Port Talbot GP's surgery, an inspection has found.

A number of concerns were raised at the Amman Tawe Partnership practice in Gwaun Cae Gurwen after an inspection carried out by Healthcare Inspectorate Wales (HIW) in June.

The urine sample was stored in an "overstocked" and "disorganised" vaccine fridge, creating a risk of cross‑contamination, according to the report released in October.

Swansea Bay University Health Board and Hywel Dda University Health Board said they were working closely together in response to the report.

MP David Chadwick said the findings were "damning" after years of residents "raising the alarm".

During the visit inspectors found expired emergency equipment and medication at the site, along with an unsecured oxygen cylinder.

A disabled toilet also did not have an emergency pull cord fitted in it, they said.

The published report included a patient questionnaire that received 531 responses and indicated a "predominantly negative patient experience" in relation to accessing the surgery, appointment availability, continuity of care and patient involvement in decisions.

It said 85% of respondents rated the service as poor, with people disagreeing that they could get a same-day urgent GP appointment or access routine appointments when needed.

Among patients with ongoing medical conditions, 79% said they could not access regular support easily.

As part of an improvement plan included in the report, the Amman Tawe Partnership said it would ensure all emergency equipment and medications were checked and logged on a weekly basis.

It said an emergency pull cord had been installed in the toilet shortly after the inspection, the urine sample had been removed, and the contents of the fridge had been reorganised on the same day.

Inspectors said that the practice maintained a clean and well‑maintained environment with generally effective leadership and governance arrangements in place.

David Chadwick, MP for Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe, described the report as "damning" after what he said were years of concerns from local residents.

"I want to thank every one of the 531 patients and carers who took the time to respond. That is an incredibly high level of engagement and shows just how strongly people feel about what has been happening," he said.

"I am calling on both Swansea Bay and Hywel Dda health boards to take urgent action in response to this report and set out clearly what they are going to do to ensure local patients receive the standard of care they deserve."

Jane Dodds, Member of the Senedd (MS) for Brycheiniog Tawe Nedd, said the amount of people who responded to the inspection demonstrated "the depth of concern locally".

"Patients have been telling us for years about the difficulties they face accessing the care they need, and this report shows that those concerns cannot be dismissed or ignored," she said.

Rhian Bond, assistant director of primary care at the Hywel Dda University Health Board, said: "Our health board has reviewed the content of the HIW report and is taking appropriate action in line with the GMS contract regulations.

"Hywel Dda is working closely with colleagues in Swansea Bay University Health Board, recognising that the contract held by Hywel Dda for the Amman Tawe Partnership delivers general medical services to patients resident in both health boards."

A spokesperson for the Swansea Bay University Health Board added: "We're working closely with Hywel Dda Health Board in response to the Healthcare Inspectorate Wales report.

"We are grateful to HIW for their report and to everyone in the community who has provided feedback."