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 2:59 pm on 5 October 2021.

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Photo of Heledd Fychan Heledd Fychan Plaid Cymru 2:59, 5 October 2021

(Translated)

I think how quiet the Chamber is this afternoon in listening to this says it all. The stories and the report are very difficult to listen to, to read, and I know that many of you will have met many of these parents and the families and will have heard from them and know just how emotional it all is. I should also declare at the outset my own son was born in the Royal Glamorgan Hospital and that I received an apology following the appalling experience that we had at the hospital. This was back in 2013, and seeing that the lessons haven't been learned following that complaint is something that stays with me, too. Luckily, he is now eight years old, but everyone is reading this report and thinking how things could have been different, and I don't think anyone could fail to be impacted by the stories of those parents.

Once again, we've heard about grave failings in terms of the care received within Cwm Taf Morgannwg. It's a difficult day for the parents affected by these failings and it's right that the Minister has apologised, but we must emphasise, as you said, that there are no words that can bring those who are lost back or diminish the loss felt. From the beginning of this scandal, Plaid Cymru has been calling for broad-ranging reviews into what's happened, and we welcome the announcement of this further report today. We've always emphasised that it's important that the review looks at why so many babies died in such a short period of time. The new report published today, as has already been mentioned, shows that one in three of the stillbirths could have been avoided were it not for serious deficiencies in care, and this is frightening. And for me, it's not just that statistic in terms of the third of babies who could have survived, but the fact that, in 37 further cases, the review suggested that one or more minor errors could have happened, although it's unlikely that these could have led to a different outcome—but it's unlikely, not impossible—and only in four cases did the experts come to the view that nothing could have been done differently.

Although the health board and the Government welcomed the conclusions, it's clear that more needs to be done. Yes, this is an emotional topic for many people. The news has reopened a number of wounds for parents, and it's impossible to overemphasise the pain, the hurt and the anxiety caused to every one of these families affected by this scandal and that remains the case.

This isn't something that happened in the past; people will be living with this for the rest of their lives. The best possible outcome would be for the Government and the health board to implement the recommendations of these reports in order to ensure that these failings never happen again. And there are a number of questions in terms of accountability that remain unanswered, even with the publication of this report. The report and the statement placed a great deal of emphasis on the improvements and the learning that's taken place, but we also need accountability. And can the Minister say with hand on heart that there's been accountability in terms of this scandal, given that many of the previous leaders within the health board had been given large payoffs when they left and they continue to work in health now, perhaps at a different health board, whilst those who have suffered bereavement are left with nothing? Where is the accountability, Minister?