Maternity unit in Wales with 'significant patient safety concerns' improves but not by enough yet, say inspectors

Significant improvements have been made at the maternity unit at Swansea's Singleton Hospital but more are needed to ensure mothers consistently receive acceptable care, health inspectors have said.

Healthcare Inspectorate Wales (HIW) had strongly criticised Swansea Bay University Health Board following a visit to the unit last September. The regulator highlighted "significant patient safety concerns" and said the health board had failed to ensure safe staffing levels for four years. It added that fewer than half the staff surveyed said they would be happy if their own family members received the same care. In response, the health board developed an improvement plan and invested hundreds of thousands of pounds in new midwives and maternity care assistants.

HIW noted improvements to the leadership structure but said some positions were still on an interim basis. The health board, it said, must monitor and improve levels and the skills mix of staff throughout the maternity unit. However, it also said that at the time of the inspection staffing levels for midwifery and medical staff were appropriate.

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Source: Wales Online, 31 July 2024