**Calls for Urgent Improvements After Revealing Report into Swansea and Neath Port Talbot Maternity Services**
The leadership of a major patient advocacy group is urging swift and substantive action following the publication of a sobering new report into maternity and neonatal care within the Swansea Bay University Health Board. The review, conducted by Llais – a group representing patient and public voices – highlights a host of both distressing and positive experiences, placing a spotlight on the region’s maternity services.
The investigation, drawing from the testimonies of 515 people who used maternity and neonatal services, paints a complex picture. While some mothers and families described moments of compassion and professionalism, others recounted feeling neglected, unsafe, and even traumatised during some of the most critical moments of their lives. The findings have sent ripples across the community and reignited debate about the quality and consistency of care available to mothers and infants.
Among the most concerning discoveries were accounts of women left unattended during labour, some even delivering their babies in hospital toilets or outside designated areas. Such scenarios, the report notes, have left several women reconsidering or even forgoing future pregnancies due to fear and trauma. As one contributor heartbreakingly recalled, “This experience is one of the main reasons I will not have any more children. I cannot go through all of that again.”
Negative feedback ranged from reports of physical neglect – with patients left soiled or unattended for extended periods – to emotional distress caused by feeling dismissed or patronised by healthcare staff at Singleton Hospital and related facilities. Women shared stories of not being taken seriously, their pain discounted, or requests met with indifference or insensitive remarks. The psychological toll of these encounters has been compounded in certain instances by enduring physical complications or, devastatingly, the loss of a child.
Despite these stark accounts, the Llais report equally reflects the gratitude and satisfaction expressed by many who experienced exemplary care. Several praised the empathy and dedication of midwives and doctors, noting that they felt listened to and well supported through their pregnancies, births and aftercare. Positive experiences included being actively involved in birth planning, feeling respected, and benefiting from excellent support with issues such as breastfeeding.
Nevertheless, the overall findings raise pressing questions about the safety and consistency of maternity care in the region. The report stresses that serious safety concerns emerged at all stages, from antenatal monitoring and crisis response to postnatal support. Notably, the document remarks that some individuals are opting for care outside the local health board’s facilities, or delaying family planning until recent service improvements have taken effect.
In response to both the report and the broader context of recent healthcare inspections, the Swansea Bay University Health Board has taken steps to address longstanding issues. These include reopening the birth centre at Neath Port Talbot Hospital, boosting recruitment, and investing in staff development. Additionally, an independent review was commissioned after a Healthcare Inspectorate Wales inspection identified urgent areas for improvement in September 2023, with full findings expected to be released this summer.
While acknowledging some advances, Llais cautioned that improvements have not always been timely, and called for a renewed commitment to listening, learning and consistent implementation of high-quality care. Chief executive Alyson Thomas commented: “These experiences must lead to action. This report isn’t about blame, it’s about listening and learning. Everyone needing maternity and neonatal care deserves safe, compassionate, and consistent support.”
Senior health board representatives have echoed the sentiment, apologising for the distress suffered and vowing to ensure that good quality care becomes the norm rather than the exception. Jan Williams, chair of Swansea Bay University Health Board, recognised the emotional cost for those revisiting negative experiences and reaffirmed the board’s commitment to making necessary changes.
The independent review’s chair, Dr Denise Chaffer, also expressed gratitude to everyone who came forward, noting that their stories will inform the ongoing review and future service improvements.
As the health board continues to address these complex issues, the stories captured in the Llais report serve as a potent reminder of the profound impact healthcare experiences have on individuals and families. The widespread hope now is that these testimonies will not merely be documented, but will catalyse lasting change across maternity services in Swansea and Neath Port Talbot, ensuring that every mother and child receives the care and support they deserve.