THE findings of a report into Tawel Fan ward have once again been delayed, this time due to illness.

The report by heath expert Donna Ockenden into the mental health ward at Glan Clwyd Hospital - which was closed in December 2013 after serious allegations – was due to be published on March 8, but Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) have confirmed this is now not the case and a revised date has not been given.

Ms Ockenden is currently reviewing governance arrangements in older person’s mental health services prior to the closure of the Tawel Fan ward.

A second review is being conducted by the Health and Social Care Advisory Service (HASCAS), which looks at the impact on individual patients.

Gary Doherty, chief executive at BCUHB , said that both teams are doing "all they can" to minimise the delay.

He added: "Good progress has been made by those leading the HASCAS investigation and Governance review. The gathering of evidence for both reports is complete, and the authors are in the final stages of writing their reports.

“However, the completion, and consequentially, the publication of the reports will be later than anticipated in the timeline published in the BCU Board paper in November due to recent illness among both the HASCAS and Donna Ockenden teams. Both teams are doing all they can to minimise the delay caused by this illness, while, of course, maintaining the integrity of their reports.

“Constructive discussions between all parties are underway to agree a revised, realistic timeline for publication but as we have confirmed at a meeting with the families, the March 8 publication date will no longer be achievable. The Independent Oversight Panel is scheduled to meet this week and will we provide a further update as soon as we can.”

Tawel Fan closed amid concerns about the "quality and safety of patient care". Eight staff were initially suspended, with four moved to other duties.

Darren Millar, AM for Clwyd West, said: " Families will understandably feel angry and badly let down by a change in the timeline for the publication of this report.

”It is essential that this work continues apace in order that those responsible for the harm suffered by patients on Tawel Fan are held to account for their action."

“It is scandalous that some NHS staff have been suspended on full pay now for three and a half years and that others left the health board to go to other jobs, effectively escaping natural justice."

Angela Burns, shadow health secretary, added: "This is an extraordinary amount of time for the victims and their families to have to wait.

"The Tawel Fan scandal shocked the country and the families of those affected deserved much more rapid action to address their concerns."