3. Statement by the Minister for Health and Social Services: Update on Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 2:57 pm on 5 October 2021.

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Photo of Baroness Mair Eluned Morgan Baroness Mair Eluned Morgan Labour 2:57, 5 October 2021

Thanks, Russell. I think we're all clear that this was not the finest hour for maternity services in Cwm Taf Morgannwg health board. And I, like you, was quite shocked by some of those quotes from the women who had suffered in this way, and they really hit you hard. And you're absolutely right, and I think the one that you picked up was also one that I felt we absolutely need to take on board, and that is,

'we will share our stories and nothing will happen'.

You think about the trauma of having to share that story again and again with these people who are coming and asking you and investigating what went wrong. They have to know that something will change. And I can give them that assurance in the sense that we are putting systems in place. We had, first of all, that independent review by the royal colleges, which set out not just what went wrong but how to put things right. And we have got those lists of things, and I am pleased that we are a long way along that road to improvement. And I think that has got to be the lasting tribute that we give to these women, who were not given the respect that they should have been given. 

One of the assurances that I was given, speaking to the representatives of the maternity services and oversight panel, who I met earlier this week, was that, actually, when it comes to communication, they are confident that the board is now in a different place. And I do think, very often, communication is absolutely key. Ultimately, however, it's got to be about respect. We've got to respect people who use our health services, and certainly we will continue in the Welsh Government to make sure that we look at areas that need to have those targeted interventions, those special measures to make sure that we can avoid any issues like this in future.