Hywel Dda Health Board has apologised to a mother and her autistic son for “causing duress” to the family over failings identified in a report.

The Cambrian News reported last week that a report by the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales found that the health board had caused “significant injustice” to a mother and her 17-year-old son, who is severely autistic, non-verbal and displays challenging behaviour.

The report found that the health board failed to take prompt steps and make arrangements to meet the clinical needs of the 17-year-old following the closure of a psychology service.

Hywel Dda University Health Board’s Chief Executive Steve Moore said: “We are very sorry for the failings identified and we have written to the family to apologise.

“We accept the recommendations the Ombudsman has proposed.

“The Health Board is in no doubt that there is a need to continue to provide a dedicated psychological service to our children and young people.

“There is a very high focus from the Board in delivering an effective children and young person’s service which meets the requirement of the ‘no wrong door’ report issued by the Children’s Commissioner.

“A Children’s and Young Person’s Working Group has been established to ensure the voice of children and young people is embedded in what we do and one of the priorities of work is to undertake a clinically led review of child psychology services to ensure the identified need is fully met.

“This was a very challenging period for the Health Board’s Learning Disability Team and the Psychology Service in particular, due to high levels of staff absence, vacancies and unsuccessful recruitment initiatives; and we regret that this caused the family duress during an already difficult time for them.

“Measures have been introduced to ensure appropriate communication is in place to respond to concerns and complaints.”