Health

Maternity crisis deepens as Welsh Government escalates intervention at Swansea Bay

Published

8 months ago

July 15, 2025

All-Wales review ordered after harrowing report reveals repeated failures

A NATIONAL review of maternity and neonatal care in Wales will begin this month, following a damning independent report into repeated failings at Swansea Bay University Health Board which left families grieving, traumatised, and demanding urgent reform.

Health Secretary Jeremy Miles confirmed on Tuesday (July 15) that the Welsh Government will accept all 11 recommendations from the report and has escalated Swansea Bay’s maternity and neonatal services to Level Four — the second-highest level of intervention. The announcement comes as families continue to speak out about avoidable harm, traumatic births, and failures in care between 2018 and 2023.

Among them is Gareth Morgan, 39, whose son sustained a brain injury during birth at Singleton Hospital. His wife, who was being treated for sepsis, underwent an emergency caesarean section. Their baby required intensive care.

“It was probably one of the worst points of my life as I thought both my son and my wife were going to die that day,” Mr Morgan said. It was not until a year later — and only after the health board wrote advising him to seek legal advice — that he learned of serious failings in his wife’s care.

“You go from thinking it was just bad luck to being angry and you want to find people accountable,” he said. “I’m riddled with trauma. Our family is riddled with the negative experience of what’s happened.”

Mr Morgan has now called for systemic changes, saying: “This isn’t about us as a family. This is about the wider picture. Because ultimately if you’re not changing something… then you’re complicit.”

Harrowing testimony, systemic problems

The independent review, led by Dr Denise Chaffer, found serious and repeated failings in both clinical care and the governance of services. It concluded that while many women had a positive experience, too many others reported traumatic births, lack of compassion, being ignored by staff, and enduring long-lasting psychological harm.

Failures highlighted include:

Poor communication and cultural insensitivity
Staff failing to listen to women during labour
Inadequate foetal monitoring
Delays in emergency responses
A rigid and insensitive complaints process

The review also called for rapid access to psychological support for affected mothers and birthing partners, better triage systems, trauma-informed care, and compulsory training for maternity staff.

Despite some recent improvements in staffing, the report noted that turning high-level changes into visible frontline progress remains “a challenge”.

In December 2023, Healthcare Inspectorate Wales found Singleton Hospital’s maternity unit had failed to meet safe staffing levels over four years and lacked effective security to prevent baby abductions. Following public criticism and mounting complaints, the first chair of the maternity review resigned, prompting a broader and more transparent inquiry.

Llais, the national body representing patients in Wales, carried out its own investigation earlier this year, speaking to over 500 women. Its findings echoed the official review: widespread failures at every stage of maternity care, often resulting in long-term trauma and some women deciding not to have more children.

Welsh Government response

In his statement, Jeremy Miles issued an “unreserved apology” to all families let down by the health board and promised that lessons would be learned.

“This must never happen again,” he said. “All women and babies must receive good-quality, safe and compassionate care. Their voices must be heard during pregnancy and birth and they must be included in plans to improve services.”

An all-Wales maternity and neonatal services assessment, independently chaired, will begin this month and incorporate findings from Swansea Bay and other reviews across the UK, including the ongoing England-wide inquiry into maternity failings.

‘A call to action’

Dr Chaffer said the health board must continue to act at every level to rebuild trust and improve care.

“There is still much to be done… this report serves as a call to action,” she said.

Liz Rix, Executive Director of Nursing at Swansea Bay, accepted the findings in full and apologised. “The review does acknowledge some improvements… but there is more to do,” she said. “We will now develop an improvement plan and continue to listen to women and families.”

Midwives and campaigners urge action

The Royal College of Midwives described the Welsh Government’s response as a “significant step forward,” but warned that proper staffing and investment were urgently needed.

“This is owed to the families who have suffered unbearable loss,” said Julie Richards, RCM Director for Wales.

The Herald understands that while several internal audits had flagged problems within the health board over the past five years, decisive action was repeatedly delayed — contributing to ongoing harm.

Health

RCN Wales appoints Nicola Williams as Executive Director

Published

14 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

NICOLA WILLIAMS will take up the role in April, bringing more than three decades of experience in nursing and senior leadership.

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has announced the appointment of Nicola Williams as its new Executive Director for Wales.

She joins the organisation from Velindre University NHS Trust, where she currently serves as Executive Director for Nursing, Allied Health Professionals and Health Care Scientists. With 38 years of experience in nursing and more than six years at executive board level, she is widely recognised across NHS Wales for her work in improving patient outcomes.

A highly experienced strategic leader, Williams has worked across a wide range of clinical and organisational settings. She has led major transformation programmes, strengthened national clinical leadership networks and championed innovation and evidence-based improvements in care. Her work has contributed to changes adopted across Wales and has been recognised with national awards.

Speaking about her appointment, Nicola Williams said: “I feel privileged to be appointed as Executive Director of RCN Wales. I’m a proud nurse, passionate about patient safety and improving care standards.

“Delivering the best care is only possible when nursing staff are supported to work in safe, inclusive environments. I will stand alongside members and their patients.

“Nursing staff are the backbone of health and care. I am determined to support our members across Wales, wherever they work, to meet the challenges ahead and shape the future of our profession.

“I look forward to meeting members across Wales and ensuring our work is informed by their experiences and expertise.”

In her new role, Williams will lead the RCN’s work in Wales and provide strategic leadership across key priority areas spanning the UK.

She succeeds Helen Whyley, who has held the position since February 2019 and will move into a new role as Director of Service Innovation at the RCN.

Health

Decision pending on adult mental health referral pathway

Published

2 days ago

March 19, 2026

Tom Sinclair

HYWEL DDA University Health Board will decide next week whether to make changes to the GP referral pathway for routine adult mental health services permanent.

The decision will be taken at a public Board meeting on Thursday (Mar 26).

Board members will consider a proposal to formalise changes already introduced in Ceredigion and, if approved, roll out the revised pathway across Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire.

Since March 2025, adults in Ceredigion seeking routine mental health support have been advised by their GP to contact the NHS 111 Wales ‘Press 2’ service, rather than being referred directly to the county’s Community Mental Health Team.

The temporary change was introduced in response to ongoing staffing shortages. Health Board officials say the approach has helped maintain timely access to face-to-face assessments for those who need them, while directing initial contact through a single access point.

The 111 ‘Press 2’ service provides telephone assessments by local wellbeing practitioners, supervised by registered mental health nurses, offering advice, support and onward referrals where required.

At its November 2025 meeting, the Board agreed to extend the temporary pathway until the end of March 2026. A nine-week engagement exercise followed, running from December 8 to February 9, to gather feedback from patients, professionals and stakeholders on the potential long-term impact.

Andrew Carruthers, Chief Operating Officer at Hywel Dda University Health Board, said: “I would like to thank everyone who took the time to share their views and experiences.

“I would also like to thank West Wales Action for Mental Health for supporting engagement with patients, including those with lived experience, alongside GPs, primary care teams, mental health staff and third sector partners.

“Our priority is to ensure mental health services remain accessible, fair and sustainable. The temporary changes in Ceredigion have shown some positive benefits, and the feedback we have received from across the three counties will play an important role in shaping the Board’s decision.”

The Board will review all evidence and feedback before making a final decision on the future of the adult mental health referral pathway.

GPs will continue to refer patients with urgent or complex needs directly to community mental health teams where appropriate, and have access to a dedicated NHS 111 professional line for additional clinical advice.

Further details, including the full Board papers, are available here:
https://biphdd.gig.cymru/amdanom-ni/eich-bwrdd-iechyd/cyfarfodydd-y-bwrdd-2026/agenda-a-phapuraur-bwrdd-26-mawrth-2026/

The meeting will be streamed live from 9:30am on Thursday (Mar 26) via:
www.youtube.com/hywelddahealthboard1

Health

Parents urged to check children’s vaccinations after meningitis cases

Published

2 days ago

March 19, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Local pharmacy reports MenB vaccine shortage amid rising concern

PARENTS and carers across west Wales are being urged to check their children’s vaccination status following recent meningitis cases in the UK.

The warning comes as a local pharmacy has confirmed a shortage of the Meningitis B (MenB) vaccine, highlighting growing pressure on supplies.

Mendus Pharmacy said it currently has no availability of the vaccine due to what it described as a nationwide supply issue.

***Mendus Pharmacy: No availability of the vaccine***

In a statement, the pharmacy said: “We would like to inform our patients that, due to ongoing supply issues, we currently have no availability of the Meningitis B vaccine.

“Unfortunately, this is a nationwide shortage and all stock is currently unavailable.

“We understand this may be particularly concerning given the recent outbreak reported in Kent, and we completely appreciate the importance of timely vaccination.”

The pharmacy confirmed it is operating a waiting list and will contact patients once supplies return.

Health officials say keeping vaccinations up to date remains one of the most effective ways to prevent serious illness and reduce pressure on NHS services.

Dr Ardiana Gjini, Executive Director of Public Health at Hywel Dda University Health Board, urged parents to act.

She said: “Vaccination is one of the most effective ways we can protect children and young people from serious illness.

“Ensuring your child is fully vaccinated not only safeguards their health but also helps prevent the spread of infections within our communities.

“I strongly encourage all parents and carers to check their child’s vaccination status. If you are concerned that your child may have missed routine vaccinations, please speak to your GP.”

Meningococcal disease is a serious and potentially life-threatening infection that can lead to meningitis or septicaemia. While many people recover, some are left with long-term physical, neurological or psychological complications. Around one in ten cases can be fatal.

Although the disease can affect anyone, babies, young children, teenagers and young adults are at greatest risk.

In Wales, vaccines protecting against meningococcal strains A, B, C, W and Y are offered as part of the NHS immunisation programme. Infants receive the MenB vaccine, while teenagers are offered the MenACWY vaccine.

Latest figures from the Health Board show that uptake among 16-year-olds for the MenACWY vaccine stands at 76.4%, meaning a significant number of young people remain unprotected as they approach adulthood.

For younger children, uptake of the MenB vaccine is higher but still below the recommended 95% target. Around 92.8% of infants are vaccinated by their first birthday, rising slightly to 91.8% by their second.

Health officials say these figures reflect strong engagement from families and primary care teams but stress that continued vigilance is needed.

Families are being advised to check their child’s vaccination record with their GP or by contacting the Health Board directly. Parents should also ensure babies receive their scheduled MenB doses and that teenagers receive their MenACWY and 3-in-1 booster vaccines, which are currently being delivered in schools.

Parents are also urged to remain alert to the symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia and to seek urgent medical advice if they have concerns.

Further information on symptoms is available via NHS 111 Wales.