The BBC has reported this week that repeated failures of maternity care and governance at a health board have been highlighted in an independent report.
Complaints and concerns lead to independent review
A review into Swansea Bay Health Board was commissioned after complaints by families, as well as concerns about the number of deaths of babies and mothers between 2018 and 2023.
Despite some staffing improvements, there remains “further actions to be urgently progressed”, according to Chairwoman of the review, Dr Denise Chaffer.
Some women had reported “a considerably poor or traumatic experience” with some going further and describing severe birth trauma.
This included concerns as to a lack of compassion from staff, women feeling ignored, and staff failing to listen.
The authors of the report have now called for changes to the complaints process in Wales to make it “less rigid and more compassionate”. They also signalled that mental health support for women and families was vital.
Review findings
The review noted significant weaknesses at Swansea Bay between 2021 and 2024.
Though some improvements were noted, unfortunately, the report said:
“translating high-level changes into tangible improvements on the ground remains a challenge.”
The resulting report from the review made several recommendations, including:
- Foetal monitoring training for all maternity staff
- Major focus on improving triage quality
- Improving the quality of investigations and involve families and external input
- Having compassionate and trauma-informed care
Chairwoman, Dr Chaffer, said:
“There is still much to be done to improve maternity and neonatal services and this report serves as a call to action for the health board to do more to rapidly improve the experiences of those who use these services.
“The work of this review does not and must not stop here. The health board must ensure this conversation continues until all changes are made and sustained improvements are demonstrated for the women and families of Swansea Bay.”
Apologies and action plans
In a meeting this week, Swansea Bay Health Board apologised unreservedly and accepted the findings and recommendations of the report.
A full action plan for improvement was set out at the meeting, and the Board added:
“We will work closely with families, partner organisations, stakeholders, and regulators to ensure that women who use our services receive the highest standard of care.”
Longstanding concerns
In December 2023, Healthcare Inspectorate Wales found that Singleton Hospital’s maternity unit failed to meet safe staffing levels over four years and had insufficient measures to stop baby abductions.
In May, the body representing patients in Wales, Llais, published its own review after speaking with over 500 women who had given birth.
During this review, reports of failings in safety, quality of care and respect at almost every stage of the process were heard.
Some women had even decided not to have any more children as a direct result of their poor experience.
Chief Executive of Llais, Alyson Thomas, said that the review findings this week showed that “too many families were let down, often devastatingly, at one of the most important and vulnerable times in their lives.”
All-Wales maternity service assessment announced
Health Secretary, Jeremy Miles, accepted that “this must never happen again” and has gone on to announce an independent person to lead an all-Wales maternity service assessment following the report, which he described as a “harrowing read”.
A widespread problem across the UK
The revelations from Swansea’s Singleton Hospital have once again cast a harsh spotlight on the state of maternity care across the UK.
Sadly, Singleton Hospital is not an isolated case.
Investigations and patient testimonies from Oxford, Nottingham, and other regions reveal a pattern of neglect, poor communication, and unsafe practices in maternity units.
Women have reported being left alone during labour, having their pain ignored, and receiving postnatal care that left them feeling humiliated and vulnerable.
These failures are not just clinical—they are deeply personal. Some mothers have chosen not to have more children due to the trauma they experienced.
Others are left navigating a lifetime of care for a child whose injuries were preventable.
Legal rights and clinical negligence claims
If you or a loved one has experienced substandard maternity care resulting in injury to mother or baby, you may be entitled to bring a clinical negligence claim. These claims can help secure compensation to cover:
- Pain, suffering, and loss of amenity
- Long-term care and rehabilitation costs
- Loss of earnings
- Emotional distress
- Specialist equipment and adaptations
At Nelsons, we understand that pursuing legal action can feel daunting—especially after a traumatic birth. Our clinical negligence team is here to guide you with compassion and clarity.
A system in need of reform
While legal action can provide justice and support for individual families, systemic change is urgently needed. Reports like the one from Llais call for improvements in clinical leadership, culture, and accountability. Until these changes are made, families will continue to suffer—and the NHS will continue to face scrutiny.
How can we help?
Danielle Young is a Partner in our Medical Negligence team, which has been ranked in tier one by the independently researched publication, The Legal 500. She specialises in pregnancy and birth injury claims (including cerebral palsy), brain injury claims, fatal claims, surgical error claims, and cauda equina injury claims.
If you have any questions in relation to the subjects discussed in this article, then please get in touch with Danielle or another member of the team in Derby, Leicester, or Nottingham on 0800 024 1976 or via our online form.
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