Technology trialled at Hywel Dda transforms pregnancy experience

HYWEL DDA University Health Board has introduced pioneering new technology designed to improve the health and wellbeing of pregnant women living with Type 1 diabetes.

Women who are pregnant or planning a pregnancy are being offered an ‘artificial pancreas’ – a system combining an insulin pump, glucose sensor, and a mobile app running a sophisticated algorithm. This closed-loop system calculates and delivers precise doses of insulin before and during pregnancy.

Dr Lisa Forrest, Consultant Physician in Diabetes and General Medicine at Hywel Dda, said: “Women with Type 1 diabetes often face significant challenges managing glucose levels during pregnancy. Poor control can lead to serious complications for newborns, including premature birth, high birth weight, and the need for neonatal intensive care.

“However, improving blood glucose control before and during pregnancy greatly reduces the risk of adverse outcomes, such as birth defects, stillbirth and neonatal death.

“This technology can be truly transformative – helping women enjoy pregnancy with greater confidence and less stress.”

The diabetes team at Hywel Dda underwent training in July and November 2024 and is among the first in Wales to routinely offer this innovative technology to women with Type 1 diabetes during pregnancy.

In December 2024, eight women in the health board area who were either pregnant or preparing for pregnancy began using the Ypsopump insulin pump alongside the CAM APS FX hybrid closed-loop algorithm.

Dr Forrest added: “A 2023 study showed that women using this system spent significantly more time within their target glucose range. They also had fewer complications such as high blood pressure, gained less weight, and reported better sleep, lower stress, and more confidence in managing their diabetes.”

Michelle Jones, 36, from Milford Haven, is one of the first to benefit from the artificial pancreas system. Diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at 19, Michelle had long been concerned about the risks pregnancy might pose.

“When I was in my twenties, doctors warned me how tightly my blood sugar would need to be controlled during pregnancy,” she said. “The risks to the baby – things like miscarriage, stillbirth, or birth defects – were frightening.”

Initially using insulin pens, Michelle struggled to keep her glucose in the desired range. “When I told the diabetes team I wanted to try for a baby, they monitored me closely but I just couldn’t get the results with the pens. They offered me the pump as a trial, and my levels improved drastically.”

“The artificial pancreas changed everything. It gives you confidence. If your levels aren’t in range, the system helps you get them back under control. It’s given me tighter, more consistent glucose management.”

Michelle also praised the remote monitoring features, which allow her team to track her levels through the app and reduce the need for travel.

“They can download all my data remotely,” she said. “I can have a phone appointment instead of travelling an hour to Glangwili Hospital. It’s made everything easier, and I hope other women get the same chance I’ve had.”

A national rollout of the technology began in October 2024, with the goal of offering it to all pregnant women with Type 1 diabetes by March 2027. It is also available to women planning a pregnancy.

Mark Henwood, Interim Medical Director at Hywel Dda, said: “I am incredibly proud of our diabetes team. Their work is making a real difference to women’s lives. This technology will help make pregnancy safer, less stressful, and more joyful for women with Type 1 diabetes.”

A WARNING from Hywel Dda Health Board that measles and mumps are resurging in Wales has exposed deep divisions over vaccines, sparking an explosive reaction online.

In a statement released during World Immunization Week, the health board urged parents to ensure their children receive the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine, describing it as the “best protection” against life-threatening complications such as meningitis, deafness, and even death.

“If 95% of children receive the MMR vaccine, measles could be wiped out completely,” the health board said. “However, outbreaks occur when vaccination rates drop below 90%.”

The reminder prompted hundreds of responses online, quickly descending into a battle between public health advocates and vaccine sceptics.

One mother, Rachel Beckett, shared a harrowing memory of suffering from mumps as a child: “I remember lying in agony on my mother’s bed while the sound of kids playing outside echoed in. I thought I was dying.”

Other commenters warned that many younger parents do not realise the dangers because vaccines have made serious complications rare in modern Britain. “Vaccines made these horrors a distant memory,” said one user.

However, vaccine sceptics questioned the motivations behind immunisation campaigns. Some suggested doctors receive financial incentives for administering vaccines. Official NHS documents show GP practices are paid a fee per jab administered, around £10, to cover service delivery – but health professionals point out that the payments fund surgery costs, not individual bonuses.

“GPs are not profiting personally from vaccinations,” wrote one commentator. “The payments are for providing services, not backhanders.”

The controversy also reignited the long-running debate over Andrew Wakefield’s discredited claims linking the MMR vaccine to autism. Although his research was found to be fraudulent and his medical licence revoked, misinformation continues to circulate.

Public health advocates were blunt in response. Gareth Pitt-Nash wrote: “Just google ‘Lancet MMR fraud’. It’s not a mystery why measles is coming back when people ignore science.”

Others warned that falling vaccination rates could result in a return to the dark days when measles, rubella, and mumps caused widespread childhood disability and death.

As of 2025, UK childhood vaccination rates for MMR remain below the World Health Organization’s recommended target of 95%, leaving communities vulnerable to outbreaks.

The health board urged families to check their vaccination records urgently, stating that catching up with missed vaccines could save lives.

The facts about the MMR vaccine

🔹 What is the MMR vaccine?
The MMR vaccine protects against three serious diseases: measles, mumps, and rubella (German measles).

🔹 How effective is it?
Two doses of the MMR vaccine provide about 99% protection against measles, 88% protection against mumps, and 97% protection against rubella.

🔹 When is it given?
Children are usually given their first dose at 12–13 months old, and a second dose at around 3 years and 4 months, before starting school.

🔹 Is it safe?
The MMR vaccine has been used safely for over 30 years. Millions of doses are given worldwide every year. Serious side effects are extremely rare. Mild side effects such as a sore arm or mild fever are common and temporary.

🔹 Why is high uptake important?
At least 95% of children need to be vaccinated to prevent outbreaks. If vaccination rates fall below 90%, diseases like measles can spread rapidly again.

🔹 What about the autism claim?
A study published in 1998 suggested a link between MMR and autism.
This study was found to be fraudulent, was retracted, and the author was struck off the medical register.
Extensive research since has found no link between the MMR vaccine and autism.

🔹 What are the risks of measles, mumps, and rubella?

Measles can cause meningitis, pneumonia, blindness, and death.

Mumps can cause deafness and swelling of the brain.

Rubella can cause serious birth defects if a pregnant woman catches it.

🔹 Where to find more information:
Visit Public Health Wales – MMR vaccine.

Readers react: Vaccines, health risks, and mistrust

A simple public health warning about rising measles and mumps cases ignited a fierce debate among local residents.

Some shared harrowing personal experiences:

• “My daughter was like a rag doll for a week with measles. It was terrifying.” – Pat Greenhorn
• “I had mumps so badly I couldn’t swallow without pain at three years old. Don’t put children through that.” – Rachel Beckett

Others defended vaccinations:

• “Vaccines made these diseases rare. Now misinformation is undoing that progress.” – Jacqueline White
• “Measles killed children. Rubella caused birth defects. Vaccines are not optional.” – Diana Salmon

However, some questioned the motives behind vaccine campaigns:

• “GP practices get paid per vaccine given. It’s about money, not health.” – Melissa Jade
• “Big pharma profits more from sick people than healthy ones.” – Cantalope Catalina

And others called for calm:

• “GPs don’t pocket bonuses. Payments fund services, not personal profits.” – Katy Hocking

The underlying message from health professionals remains simple: without high vaccination rates, once-defeated diseases will return.

A SERIES of reforms designed to strengthen NHS Wales are set to be introduced by the Welsh Government, following a major independent review.

Health Secretary Jeremy Miles has accepted all 29 recommendations made by the Ministerial Advisory Group on NHS Performance and Productivity, which was established in October to assess the effectiveness of current NHS Wales arrangements.

The review, led by Sir David Sloman, focused on key areas including planned care, diagnostics, cancer performance, and urgent and emergency care. It also explored ways to boost productivity and performance, with an emphasis on better use of digital technology, data, and enhanced regional collaboration.

The report’s publication comes just weeks after the Health Secretary delivered a significant speech on leadership and accountability within the NHS. In that address, he outlined plans to cut long waiting times and reduce the overall size of NHS waiting lists during 2025–26.

The Ministerial Advisory Group’s report, published today alongside the Welsh Government’s official response, makes wide-ranging recommendations. These include measures to improve waiting list management, eliminate unwarranted variation in treatment, use national and regional plans to create sustainable services, and strengthen leadership across NHS Wales.

The Welsh Government has confirmed it will accept, either fully or in part, all 29 recommendations. Work is already underway to implement many of the proposed changes.

Speaking at an event in Cardiff today (Tuesday) to mark the report’s publication, Health Secretary Jeremy Miles said:

“The message in the report is very clear: we have a significant challenge in performance and productivity. The service is not performing at the levels we or the public expect.

That demands a step change in our approach, so we can improve the services the public receives, deliver better health outcomes, and ensure every pound spent brings the best possible value as demands on the health service continue to grow.

But the report is also optimistic. Time and again, it highlights the strengths we have in Wales — the commitment and skill of our staff, the solid strategies in place, and examples of good practice across the service.”