Response to Independent Review of Swansea Bay UHB Maternity and Neonatal Services

Follow this link to read the independent review in full, as well as supporting documents. 

Commenting, Jan Williams, Chair of Swansea Bay University Health Board said:

“The final report of the Independent Review into our maternity and neonatal services has identified a range of failings and experiences that are unacceptable and distressing and we apologise unreservedly to the women and their families who have suffered as a result. We acknowledge the traumatic and life changing experiences some will have experienced as a result of harm or loss and offer our heartfelt condolences.

“We would also like to thank the women and families who contributed to the review despite the fact that doing so might have been traumatic and distressing for them, particularly today as the Independent Review is published. This week is Birth Trauma Awareness Week – a week that is all about encouraging families to come forward and share their experience. That is exactly what the Independent Review has done - it has put families at the heart of its work. Many people came forward and without their input, we wouldn’t be in a position to learn such important lessons for the future.     

“We convened a Special Board meeting today to formally receive the final report of the Independent Review and to hear directly from its Chair, Denise Chaffer. The Board unanimously accepted all of the Independent Review’s findings and recommendations.”

Abi Harris, Chief Executive, added:

“There have been improvements made, including around staffing levels, training compliance, a culture of reporting incidents and staff not being afraid of raising concerns, the introduction of a new all-Wales patient experience feedback mechanism, the development of a digital dashboard to aid performance monitoring and the reopening of our home birth service and midwifery led unit at Neath Port Talbot Hospital. 

“These are all recognised by the Independent Review.

“But the fact remains we haven’t listened to the views of women and their families on a consistent basis and as a result, we haven’t provided the level of care and experience they deserve. Once again, we apologise for that.

“With that in mind, I’ve made it very clear inside the Health Board today our expectations of one another regarding standards of compassion and respect. I’ve made it clear that we expect everybody who works in the Health Board to uphold these standards, whether that be in our Maternity and Neonatal services or anywhere else for that matter. 

“We are making some immediate changes as a result of the Independent Review.

“We are starting work immediately on the development of a new unified triage approach as specifically recommended in the Independent Review. While it will take some time to become fully operational due to recruitment and training needs, the work is underway to ensure easy access and a responsive high-quality service. This unified triage service will deliver a much more consistent approach, irrespective of the planned birth pathway.

“We will be spending the next few months working closely with and listening to women and families on the development of a new and long term approach to engagement and how this will influence change in the services we provide. We will also be developing an Improvement Plan that will outline what we will do differently to tackle the failings described in the report and provide assurance to the Welsh Government following their escalation today of the status our maternity and neonatal services.

“We will conscientiously listen to what we are being told and ensure that the voices of women and their families are at the heart of our plans and that their views influence what we do and how we do it.”

Note:

If anybody requires psychological support as a result of a poor experience of our services or as a result of the findings of the Independent Review, they can access this support through Ty Elis Counselling Services which is a confidential service, independent of the Health Board. Their contact details are 01656 786486 and OFFICE@TYELIS.ORG.UK 

There is also a Health Board helpline available for any women or families who are worried about their care. The telephone number is 01792 986709 and the helpline is open between 8.30am and 5pm Monday to Friday. An email helpline is also monitored during these hours - SBU.MaternityEnquiries@wales.nhs.uk.

In addition, the triage midwife employed by the Independent Review will continue in the role and can be contacted by any past service users who would like to raise concerns about their care. The email address is Chantal.Knight@wales.nhs.uk