We, the undersigned, are calling for an independent inquiry into Bridgend County Borough Council’s failure to provide adequate mental health support for vulnerable individuals. Despite referrals, many individuals suffering from complex mental health conditions, such as PTSD and borderline personality disorder, have been left without essential support, leading to severe distress and harm.

Despite escalating concerns through multiple regulatory bodies such as Care Inspectorate Wales, Social Care Wales, the Public Services Ombudsman, and the Information Commissioner’s Office, I have encountered systematic barriers that prevent any meaningful investigation. These regulatory bodies claim they do not handle individual complaints or lack the authority to enforce action, leaving people like myself with nowhere to turn.

This lack of oversight allows Bridgend Council to continuously avoid scrutiny, as each body defers responsibility to the next. These failures, combined with a refusal to release information despite recorded data breaches, have left my family in a state of prolonged distress without recourse."

Despite Bridgend having one of the highest suicide rates in the UK, these systemic failures continue unchecked.

 

We are calling for an independent inquiry into:

 

1. The council’s failure to provide mental health support after referrals, as their duty apparently ends once they refer you to someone else.

 

2. The lack of proper assessments for individuals with complex mental health conditions.

 

3. Delays and negligence in addressing urgent mental health crises.

 

4. Failure to respond appropriately to individuals experiencing self-harm or suicidal tendencies.

 

5. Withholding of Data to Prevent Scrutiny: Bridgend Council’s continued refusal to release crucial data under Subject Access Requests (SARs), despite the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) recording an infringement of data protection legislation. By withholding this data, the council is preventing transparency and scrutiny of their handling of vulnerable individuals, further obscuring their failure to meet mental health obligations.

 

The mental health of vulnerable people cannot be ignored any longer. Please sign this petition to demand action and accountability.