Dozens of families in Swansea are taking matters into their own hands by launching their own maternity inquiry, expressing their loss of confidence in an NHS-led probe. More than 70 families affected by issues in maternity care services in Swansea have decided to initiate a “family-led” review after feeling sidelined by an inquiry commissioned by the Swansea Bay Health Board.
Leading maternity safety expert, Donna Ockenden, has criticised the Health Board for failing these families, stating that the current review would hold little value without their involvement. This move follows a warning from a House of Lords Committee about the inadequacies in the implementation of recommendations from public inquiries.
Swansea Bay University Health Board had announced an independent review into its maternity and neonatal services due to concerns raised by families regarding baby deaths and birth-related injuries. Despite years of campaigning by Welsh parents for a review, many families feel neglected by the current review process and doubt its independence from the health board.
Rob and Sian Channon, who lead the Swansea Bay Maternity Campaign Group, shared their story of their son, Gethin, who was born with quadriplegic cerebral palsy due to failures in maternity care at Singleton Hospital. The Channons expressed their frustration at the lack of progress in the current review, leading them to take matters into their own hands to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The families aim to present their findings to key healthcare and government bodies by early 2025. Donna Ockenden, known for heading the Shrewsbury Maternity Inquiry, emphasised the importance of family trust and involvement in any credible review process. She criticised the local Health Board for failing to engage effectively with the affected families.
James Titcombe, who campaigned for a separate inquiry into failings at Morecambe Bay Hospital, highlighted the need for an independent inquiry focusing on the families’ experiences and needs. The concerns in Swansea come amidst ongoing inquiries across the UK, raising questions about the efficacy of such investigations without proper follow-up on recommendations.
The Swansea Bay University Health Board defended its review process, stating it values input from families and is determined to identify improvements in maternity and neonatal services. The review is said to be inclusive of family input and aims to report its findings next year. However, families remain sceptical about the process’s independence and effectiveness in addressing their concerns.
In light of these developments, the families’ decision to conduct their own maternity inquiry underscores the ongoing challenges in ensuring accountability and improvement in healthcare services. The dedication of these families to seek answers and drive positive change serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of transparency and engagement in addressing issues within the healthcare system.