WQ82606 (w) Tabled on 08/06/2021

When will the Welsh Government implement the continuity of carer model in maternity services for pregnant women who have lost a baby after a previous pregnancy?

Answered by Minister for Health and Social Services | Answered on 18/06/2021

Maternity Care in Wales – A 5 Year Vision for the Future was published in July 2019 and recognises that continuity of carer arrangements offer women and those who support them the opportunity to build a trusting relationship over the pregnancy journey and into parenthood. This is particularly important when a woman may have lost a baby in a previous pregnancy.

All Health Boards have arrangements in place to provide individual support to a woman through a subsequent pregnancy and all women will have a named midwife.  Each health board has bereavement services within maternity care that are able to provide bespoke individualised packages of support to women and their families during a subsequent pregnancy.

Work to achieve continuity of carer models for all women and families in pregnancy in Wales has continued throughout the pandemic and a learning event was arranged by the Maternity and Neonatal Network in April 2021 to share best practice.