#maternity-unit — Public Fediverse posts

HEALTH BOARD: Swansea Bay apologises again over maternity failings as it responds to Nottingham review

Swansea Bay’s health board has apologised again to families who suffered “devastating and lifechanging outcomes” in its maternity services, after the publication of a major national review.

The board’s Chair and Chief Executive issued a joint statement in response to the Independent Review of Maternity Services in Nottingham, the findings of which were published this week.

They said there were “echoes” of the Nottingham findings in three reviews into Swansea Bay’s own services that reported last year — the Family Review, the Llais Review and the board’s own Independent Review.

“We want to acknowledge the impact yesterday’s report may have had on the families in the Swansea Bay area who experienced a devastating outcome because of care we provided that did not meet the standards expected,” the statement said.

The board said it wanted to apologise again “to the women, babies and families who experienced poor care in our services, and for the devastating and lifechanging outcomes that some women and families experienced.”

It encouraged any women, past or present, who wanted to raise concerns to come forward, and gave contact details for doing so.

The apology follows a year in which Swansea Bay’s maternity care has been the subject of repeated scrutiny.

Last summer, an independent review found repeated failings in the board’s maternity services, pointing to “repeated failures in the quality of care and governance” and prompting the Welsh Government to escalate its intervention.

A Scottish health leader was later brought in to scrutinise the board’s maternity overhaul, while the Welsh Government commissioned a Wales-wide review of maternity and neonatal services led by a former Children’s Commissioner.

The board said it was implementing a Perinatal Improvement Plan, overseen by a dedicated programme board, and that its Perinatal Committee now reported to every public board meeting.

It said an Independent Oversight Panel remained in place and had recently spent two days visiting its services, with a report on its assessment expected shortly.

The board said it would set out its improvement work in detail at its July board meeting, where members will sign off the final plan.

It added that it would review the findings of the Nottingham review, and a further report expected shortly from Baroness Amos, and cross-reference them with its own review and the Welsh Government’s national assessment.

The statement came in the same week the board’s accounts revealed a £112m overspend and a clinical negligence bill that had more than doubled in a year.

The board said it remained “fully committed to continuing to strengthen how we listen to women and families, to continuing to learn and to improve.”

Women with questions or concerns about maternity care they previously received can email [email protected] or call 01639 684440. Those currently receiving care who need advice or support can call 01792 517904.

If you have been affected by baby loss or are struggling, the Samaritans can be reached at any time on 116 123.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Independent review finds repeated failings in Swansea Bay maternity care
The damning review that prompted the Welsh Government to escalate its intervention.

Scottish health leader brought in to scrutinise maternity overhaul
Independent oversight of the board’s improvement work.

Swansea Bay £112m in the red and failed by auditors
The board’s accounts revealed the same week as this statement.