6. Statement by the Minister for Health and Social Services: Update on Maternity Services and Governance Improvements at Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 6:21 pm on 13 October 2020.

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Photo of Mick Antoniw Mick Antoniw Labour 6:21, 13 October 2020

Minister, firstly, let me thank you for the statement and for the work that's going on, and I think we must all—and I think it's implicit in what everyone has had—recognise the important role that all our NHS staff in these hospitals in Cwm Taf are actually undertaking in the most difficult circumstances, month after month, and I think we still welcome very much what their contribution is to us all.

Many of the things I wanted to ask have been answered, but, with regard to the issue of family support, just the issue as to how that is going to be evaluated. The second thing I'd like to ask about is in respect of the community: as you know, there is a tremendous community spirit of support for the hospitals in the Rhondda Cynon Taf and in the Merthyr area, and that was witnessed recently. But how do we reassure and rebuild confidence? Because all the right building blocks are in place, all the right steps are being taken; pre-COVID, I was able to visit the hospital, and to see for myself the progress, the steps, the new initiatives, the new leadership that was under way, but there is still an area where we have to convince the community and to reassure them that that progress is genuine and that it's long lasting, et cetera.

And then, finally, can you just update us on the steps that have actually been taken now in terms of communicating the situation with the Tirion birth centre at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital, which is in my constituency, and how that is being communicated to those families that would need to traditionally access that service? Thank you, Minister.