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 3:05 pm on 5 October 2021.

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Photo of Vikki Howells Vikki Howells Labour 3:05, 5 October 2021

Thank you, Minister, for your statement today. Once again, I want to place on record my thoughts for all those families who have been affected by this scandal, especially with data from the thematic stillbirth category report suggesting that one in three episodes of stillbirth might have been avoided if the care had been different. These numbers are shocking enough, but they represent real families torn apart by grief, families who I myself and other Senedd Members have supported over the past few years.

My questions today: we know that the ongoing pandemic has had a tremendous impact on front-line NHS staff, the vast majority of whom work really hard to provide appropriate care, in many cases going above and beyond for their patients. How is this pressure being managed within the context of delivering the long-term cultural change that has been identified? Secondly, the pandemic has caused additional pressures for expecting mothers and families, not least in terms of, for example, restrictions around partners attending appointments. How are these being managed to give reassurance to such families? And thirdly, a point in the thematic report also mentioned in your written statement is the panel's comments around more effective action to reduce the adverse impact of smoking and raised blood pressure during pregnancy, which can both reduce the risk of stillbirth. So, how are you working to embed this, not just across Cwm Taf Morgannwg, but across the whole of the NHS in Wales?