A national assessment of all maternity and neonatal services in
Wales will begin this month, the Health Secretary confirmed today
(Tuesday 15 July), as the independent review into services at
Swansea Bay University Health Board is published
The all-Wales assurance assessment will be independently chaired
and will take account of the findings of the recent reviews of
maternity and neonatal services across the UK, including in
Swansea Bay.
It will also consider the family-led report into maternity
services at Swansea Bay, which was published on Monday, and align
to the England-wide review.
Health Secretary has decided Swansea Bay
University Health Board's maternity and neonatal services will be
escalated to the second highest level of intervention - level
four - providing enhanced monitoring and support.
And the Welsh Government will be accepting all 11 recommendations
in the independent review.
Health Secretary said:
“I want to offer a full and unreserved apology on behalf of the
Welsh Government to all the women and families who have not
received the service or care they deserved and expected from
Swansea Bay University Health Board.
“The experiences highlighted today; those reflected in the recent
Llais report and those I heard when I met families last month
must never happen again.
“As a result of the issues raised, and the ongoing concerns from
women and families about patient experience, staff attitudes and
care provided, I am today increasing the escalation level of
Swansea Bay's maternity and neonatal services to level
four.”
The first progress report from the maternity and neonatal safety
programme has also been published today, highlighting
improvements made against national safety indicators.
Mr Miles added:
“NHS maternity and neonatal services must learn from what has
happened in Swansea Bay. Together, we must commit to delivering
the best possible experiences and outcomes for all women during
pregnancy and birth.
“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
improvement.”
Notes to editors
Maternity and Neonatal
Safety Support Programme Implementation Network - NHS Wales
Performance and Improvement
Written Statement:
Maternity and Neonatal Services at Swansea Bay University Health
Board (15 July 2025) | GOV.WALES
Written Statement:
Escalation and Intervention Arrangements (15 July 2025) |
GOV.WALES
