The Welsh Government says the work will focus on the safety and quality of all maternity and neonatal services, providing “real-time and immediate assurance” in the wake of the independent review into Swansea Bay’s maternity services and the Llais Cymru report on patient experiences at Singleton Hospital.
Professor Holland, a leading social care academic and former Children’s Commissioner for Wales, will head the Maternity and Neonatal Assurance Assessment Oversight Panel. The panel will gather evidence from families, staff and clinical experts, with the voices of women and families described as “central” to understanding the quality, safety and culture of services.
The review follows the July publication of Dr Denise Chaffer’s independent report into Swansea Bay University Health Board, which found repeated failings in care, inconsistent standards and missed opportunities for learning. That report led to the Health Secretary escalating the Health Board’s maternity and neonatal services to Level Four intervention, the second highest level of Welsh Government oversight.
It also comes after Llais Cymru’s investigation revealed distressing accounts from new mothers, including reports of being left in pain, ignored during labour and unsupported after birth.
Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care Jeremy Miles said the new assessment will “scrutinise maternity and neonatal services across Wales and provide recommendations for how they can be improved”.
Professor Holland will be joined by a panel of experts with backgrounds in family engagement, obstetrics, midwifery and neonatology. Members include Ken Sutton, Heidi Smoult, Sue Holden, Dr Edile Murdoch, Dr Jo Mountfield and Professor Mary Renfrew.
The panel is expected to provide initial advice to the Health Secretary by the end of the year.
