News

Welsh Government escalates intervention at two health boards

Published

11 months ago

July 15, 2025

SWANSEA BAY maternity services and Cardiff and Vale health board will be escalated to the second-highest level of government intervention, Wales’ health secretary confirmed.

Jeremy Miles announced Swansea’s services will be escalated to level four on the five-point oversight scale following a damning family-led review on maternity and neonatal services.

Mr Miles said the families’ distressing report and a review commissioned by the health board showed people were not listened to and services fell well below expected standards.

The health secretary apologised to families for their experiences, with some describing examples of severe birth trauma, which he said must never happen again.

He told the Senedd: “As a result of the issues raised today and the ongoing concerns from women and families about patient experience, staff attitudes and care provided, I am increasing the escalation level of Swansea Bay’s maternity and neonatal services.”

‘Never, ever again’

Mr Miles, who issued a written statement providing more detail of the response, said ministers have commissioned an assessment on all maternity and neonatal services.

The Conservatives’ James Evans said the deeply distressing reports detailed serious failings, poor communication, a breakdown in trust, and avoidable harm.

He warned far too many women were dismissed, traumatised or left grieving.

The Tory shadow health secretary told the Senedd: “It is disappointing it took a family-led review, driven by those 50 families, to force the level of transparency that we’re now seeing – that should never, ever have to happen again.”

His Plaid Cymru counterpart Mabon ap Gwynfor paid tribute to families for exposing gross failings and clinical negligence, “something no new parent should ever have to endure”.

‘Lagging’

He told the Senedd. “And yet in many cases here in Wales, childbirth continues to present unacceptable risks – across a range of metrics, Wales is lagging badly.”

Mr ap Gwynfor said Wales has had the highest stillbirths rate in the UK since 2014, with neonatal mortality rates rising while falling in Scotland and England from 2010 to 2022.

He expressed concerns about pressures on workforce capacity, pointing to a 35% decrease in applications for midwifery courses in Wales since 2021.

Mr ap Gwynfor added: “The fact the family support group felt like they had no option but to undertake their own inquiry… speaks to serious issues with institutional accountability.”

Mr Miles assured Senedd members the Welsh Government is committed to ensuring the contents of the reports inform improvement in maternity units across the country.

‘Worrying’

But Tom Giffard quoted families as saying: “Tomorrow the health minister will stand up in the Senedd and address the situation. He has only one option: remove control of the maternity service from the failed leadership of Swansea university health board.”

Asked why he had not done so by the Conservative, Mr Miles told the Senedd: “I don’t think that is the right way of making sure the service is strengthened.”

Giving a wider update on intervention arrangements on July 15, Mr Miles announced Cardiff and Vale health board would also move to level four due to an increasing financial deficit, breaching its duty to provide a three-year balanced budget.

He said: “It has the second largest number of people waiting more than two years for treatment and there have been a series of worrying cultural and leadership challenges which are indicative of an organisation which needs additional support.”

Mr Evans warned of a high-number of “never events” at the health board this year, “causing unnecessary harm and sometimes death”.

“We need to make sure that’s rooted out,” he said.

‘Signs of progress’

Mr Miles said Cwm Taf Morgannwg health board has been de-escalated from level three to routine level-one arrangements for finance, strategy and planning.

The Labour politician told the Senedd that the Aneurin Bevan health board has been de-escalated from level four to level three – also for finance, strategy and planning.

Mr Miles said Hywel Dda has been de-escalated from level four to level three for cancer services, and from three to one for children’s mental health.

He confirmed Betsi Cadwaladr will remain at level five or special measures as it has for most of the past decade but said there have been signs of progress. Mr Miles brought in changes to allow health boards to be partially de-escalated from special measures in future.

He said Powys would remain at level four for finance, strategy and planning.

Charity

Toy Story fans fill charity toy box at Haverfordwest cinema

Published

9 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Donations pour in for SNAP Specialist Play as families embrace Toy Story 5 launch

A TOY STORY-themed charity appeal at a Haverfordwest cinema has got off to a flying start, with families donating toys to support children with additional needs across Pembrokeshire.

The Palace Cinema has teamed up with local charity SNAP Specialist Play to collect new and pre-loved toys during screenings of the newly released Toy Story 5.

The appeal centres around an “Andy’s Toys” donation box, inspired by the beloved Pixar films, which has already been filled by generous filmgoers.

***Toy Story magic: The Palace Cinema foyer has been transformed with themed decorations to celebrate the film’s release***

Cinema manager Hannah Cramp said the response from the community had exceeded expectations.

Families attending opening screenings have arrived carrying bags of toys, with many children keen to share their own treasured items to help others.

The cinema has transformed its foyer into a colourful Toy Story-themed experience, complete with hand-painted decorations, character silhouettes, bunting and famous film slogans including “Reach for the Sky” and “To Infinity and Beyond”.

Many visitors have also embraced the spirit of the occasion by attending in costume as their favourite Toy Story characters.

***Specialist support: SNAP’s sensory facilities help children with additional needs learn and develop through play***

The toys are being donated to SNAP Specialist Play, a charity based within the Child Health Department at Withybush Hospital.

SNAP supports pre-school children with additional and complex needs through specialist play sessions designed to encourage communication, physical development and sensory learning.

Its facilities include sensory rooms, therapeutic play spaces and bespoke equipment used by speech and language therapists, occupational therapists and physiotherapists.

Project manager Cindy Jenkins said the charity was delighted by the partnership and grateful for the generosity shown by local families.

She said every toy donated would be put to good use, either during specialist play sessions, at family events, or through seasonal initiatives such as Christmas gift boxes for children and their siblings.

The appeal will continue until mid-July, with organisers hopeful that even more donations will be received over the coming weeks.

Anyone attending Toy Story 5 at the Palace Cinema is invited to bring along a new or good-quality pre-loved toy to support the appeal.

Cover photo:

Fancy dress fun: Palace Cinema manager Hannah Cramp helping launch the Toy Story charity appeal.

Health

Medicine shortages now ‘most severe on record’, health leaders warn

Published

9 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

PATIENTS are facing some of the worst medicine shortages ever seen in the UK, with pharmacists warning the situation now poses a serious risk to safety.

The National Pharmacy Association said shortages affecting commonly used medicines are becoming more frequent, lasting longer, and causing increasing disruption for patients, GP surgeries and pharmacies.

The warning comes as Serious Shortage Protocols for Creon, used by people with pancreatic cancer and cystic fibrosis to help digest food, have been in place since May 2024 and have now been extended until July 10, 2026.

HRT treatment Estradot has also been under a Serious Shortage Protocol since December 2024, with the current extension also running until July 10.

Patients travelling between pharmacies

A survey by the National Pharmacy Association found that 98 per cent of pharmacies had encountered patients who had visited several pharmacies in one day to find a prescription.

It also found that 96 per cent of pharmacies believed the current situation posed a serious risk to patient safety, while 89 per cent said they had been unable to dispense a medicine at least once a day because of supply problems.

Some pharmacy teams have also faced anger and abuse from patients unable to obtain medication.

Olivier Picard, Chair of the National Pharmacy Association, said: “Medicine shortages are becoming more frequent, lasting longer and causing increasing disruption for patients.

“These shortages are some of most severe the UK has experienced.

“It is deeply distressing to find patients who have travelled from pharmacy to pharmacy to find the medicines they need without success.”

Calls for urgent taskforce

The NPA is calling on the government to convene an emergency taskforce involving manufacturers, wholesalers, clinicians and pharmacists.

It also wants changes to rules which currently stop pharmacists from making simple substitutions, such as changing a tablet to a capsule or a cream to an ointment, even where a safe alternative is available.

Professor Victoria Tzortziou Brown, President of the Royal College of GPs, said medicine shortages were frustrating for patients, GPs and pharmacists, and added pressure to already stretched services.

She said the College supported pharmacists being able to make limited changes to prescriptions where a medicine is unavailable and a safe alternative exists.

She added: “The most important thing is that patients are able to access the medication they need safely and without delay.”

The Cystic Fibrosis Trust and Pancreatic Cancer UK have also raised concerns about the impact of shortages of pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy, including Creon, on people who rely on the medication to digest food, maintain weight and stay well enough for treatment.