Jeremy Miles MS, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Care
On the 15 July 2025, I escalated Swansea Bay University Health Board’s maternity and neonatal services to level 4 from level 3 following the publication of three external reviews, all of which raised serious and common themes related to poor communication and advice; trauma and fear; women and families feeling ignored; about a lack of compassion and care; informed decision making; access to care; and birth partner separation. They highlight unacceptable patient and family experiences, cultural issues, staffing, training and resource issues, environmental and safety concerns.
I have met the Chief Executive and Chair of Swansea Bay University Health Board on a number of occasions to gain assurance of the safety and quality of care in maternity and neonatal services.
In July, I announced my intention to appoint an independent observer to sit on the oversight panel to provide assurance to the Welsh Government on the implementation of the health board recommendations.
I am now in a position to confirm that the independent observer will be Ann Gow. Ann Gow is currently a Deputy Chief Executive with Health Improvement Scotland and as former Executive Nurse Leader she has extensive strategic, professional and operational experience across all health and care settings encompassing acute, community and Integrated Joint Boards. She has a background in women and children’s healthcare having qualified as a midwife and health visitor.
Her leadership experience includes executive oversight of care provision, organisational governance and operational service delivery. She has executive leadership experience in improvement, review, regulation and inspection of health care provision across all sectors.
In her role as Director Nursing and Systems Improvement and Deputy Chief Executive Healthcare Improvement Scotland she has led on the creation of a credible professional presence improving the professionalism, visibility and engagement of nurses, midwifes and allied health professionals within the organisation and across Scotland with an executive oversight of improvement programmes with a specific focus on healthcare staffing, excellence in care, improving primary care and integrated services.
This statement is being issued during recess to keep Members informed. Should Members wish me to make a further statement or to answer questions on this when the Senedd returns I would be happy to do so.