MS, Cabinet Secretary for
Health and Social Care: On the 15 July 2025, I escalated
Swansea Bay University Health Board's maternity and neonatal
services to level 4 from level 3 following the publication of
three external reviews, all of which raised serious and common
themes related to poor communication and advice; trauma and fear;
women and families feeling ignored; about a lack of compassion
and care; informed decision making; access to care; and birth
partner separation. They highlight unacceptable patient and
family experiences, cultural issues, staffing, training and
resource issues, environmental and safety concerns.
I have met the Chief Executive and Chair of Swansea Bay
University Health Board on a number of occasions to gain
assurance of the safety and quality of care in maternity and
neonatal services.
In July, I announced my intention to appoint an independent
observer to sit on the oversight panel to provide assurance to
the Welsh Government on the implementation of the health board
recommendations.
I am now in a position to confirm that the independent observer
will be Ann Gow. Ann Gow is currently a Deputy Chief Executive
with Health Improvement Scotland and as former Executive Nurse
Leader she has extensive strategic, professional and operational
experience across all health and care settings encompassing
acute, community and Integrated Joint Boards. She has a
background in women and children's healthcare having qualified as
a midwife and health visitor.
Her leadership experience includes executive oversight of care
provision, organisational governance and operational service
delivery. She has executive leadership experience in improvement,
review, regulation and inspection of health care provision across
all sectors.
In her role as Director Nursing and Systems Improvement and
Deputy Chief Executive Healthcare Improvement Scotland she has
led on the creation of a credible professional presence improving
the professionalism, visibility and engagement of nurses,
midwifes and allied health professionals within the organisation
and across Scotland with an executive oversight of improvement
programmes with a specific focus on healthcare staffing,
excellence in care, improving primary care and integrated
services.
This statement is being issued during recess to keep Members
informed. Should Members wish me to make a further statement or
to answer questions on this when the Senedd returns I would be
happy to do so.
