The Member of the Welsh Parliament for Aberconwy, Janet Finch-Saunders MS, has raised serious concerns about the treatment received by individuals at maternity wards run by the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board. It comes as her office has received sight of a letter confirming that, in June 2021, the Birthrights organisation reportedly received five different enquiries about problems with care under the North Wales Health Board.
In the letter obtained by the Member’s office, Birthrights state:
“The accounts that we are reading are suggestive of a maternity culture that lacks compassion. We are aware of staff who have left through not being able to deliver the care they want to.
Underlining the urgent need to address the matter, Janet said:
“Having raised concerns throughout the pandemic about the treatment at the Health Board, including instances where some mothers have been denied the opportunity to have their partner or another individual of their choice by their side, I am most alarmed to have now received further complaints about the maternity care provided by BCUHB.
“Through a letter obtained by my office, I have been informed that the Birthrights advice line has been contacted at least once, sometimes twice, every month since April 2021 about issues with care provision and lack of respect for dignity and human rights at hospitals operated by the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board.
“It is clear that the team may be overstretched and need assistance. As such, it is vital that an urgent review is undertaken to understand the problems highlighted, as well as their scale. This review should also feed into a much wider independent inquiry into the mismanagement of the Health Board, which remains top-heavy and plainly does not have enough resources going into frontline staff.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
- Please find a redacted copy of the letter obtained.
- Birthrights say that they have helped over 1080 individual enquiries during the year April 2020 - April 2021 and outline that they continue to help around 90 - 100 people a month through the personalised email advice service.
Photo: Janet Finch-Saunders MS/AS
