4. Statement by the Minister for Health and Social Services: Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board Clinical Review Update

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:13 pm on 2 February 2021.

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Photo of Vikki Howells Vikki Howells Labour 4:13, 2 February 2021

Thank you, Minister, for your statement today. As you will know, I have met with women and families affected by the failings of the former Cwm Taf maternity services, I've met with maternity staff who have since worked so hard to turn the service around, and have followed the work of the expert panel and its review throughout. I have three questions for you today. Firstly, I'm pleased that this report once again reaffirms that considerable improvements have been seen and are continuing to be seen within the maternity services. What reassurance can you provide to expectant mothers soon to use the service, and with the added pressure of the restrictions imposed by the pandemic, that they can have faith in the maternity teams at Cwm Taf Morgannwg to provide them with the very best care? Secondly, communications has been a recurring theme throughout the review; can you provide more detail about how the board has sought to address this key issue? And my final question: as the panel moves to focus on neonatal care, you say quite rightly that they need to ensure that immediate learning emerges from these reviews aligned to the neonatal aspects of the health board's improvement programme. Can you confirm what systems are being put in place to ensure that this learning is conveyed at speed into the board's improvement programme?