Will the Cabinet Secretary confirm whether she is satisfied that maternity staffing levels at Swansea Bay Health Board are now sufficient and safe?
Earlier this month, Swansea Bay University Health Board confirmed that it has no midwifery vacancies and is compliant with Birthrate Plus® establishment standards. Birthrate Plus® is a national tool for calculating midwifery staffing levels which is recognised by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence.
The health board has appointed a Director of Midwifery, who is due to start at the beginning of July 2024. I welcome this appointment and the strengthened leadership it will bring.
My officials continue to maintain oversight of the health board’s maternity and neonatal workforce data alongside other quality metrics as part of the enhanced monitoring escalation arrangements. Monitoring is more frequent than that carried out under routine arrangements and includes regular interactions and meetings in addition to written progress updates.
Within these escalation arrangements, the Welsh Government will work with the health board to ensure the organisation demonstrates it is taking a proactive approach to drive improvement, which includes ensuring the consistent safety of services.