Welsh Conservative Debate: MATERNITY SERVICES AT YSBYTY GLAN CLWYD

Janet Finch-Saunders
Ysbyty Glan Clwyd is home to an average of 2,262 births each year, so it begs the question: why would any Government in power allow a health board to withdraw consultant-led maternity services against the will of the people and against the will of the clinicians? We are advised that rotas at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd are at risk of collapse, that there are not sufficient medical staff to maintain a fully functioning service and that there are serious issues among the staff themselves. We know too, as has been mentioned, that this has been going on for some time. Now, the decision to withdraw consultant-led maternity services is not based on clinical evidence, it’s not supported by clinicians, and it is now feared by thousands of potential parents across north Wales. Such has been the pressure, supported by some north Wales AMs of all parties, the Minister for Health and Social Services ordered an independent assessment by the chief nursing officer and deputy chief medical officer. However, on investigation, we found that this independent assessment was completed within one day. It was labelled by the chief officer of north Wales community health council as not fit for purpose and it was not a review. There were no terms of reference, they would not be meeting any patient groups or stakeholders outside BCULHB, they would not be considering statistical or clinical evidence and the BCULHB decision to move services could not be altered. If that’s not a fait accompli, I don’t know what is. The health board’s own report on obstetrics and gynaecology safety and sustainability states that
 ‘formal consultation is not required and would struggle to be meaningful.’
The chair of the BMA said:
‘We are disappointed the health board has failed to consult with senior obstetricians at Glan Clwyd to explore the options available for the obstetric service at the hospital’,
leading to expectations that 500 potential mothers and babies will be delivered in the freestanding midwifery-led unit at the hospital. We ask: how practical is this and what is the true definition of ‘safe’? With 36% of first-time mothers experiencing unforeseen complications during labour, there will be at least three emergency transfers a week. Minister, we are here today in the comfort of this Chamber in Cardiff bay, far removed from the daily travelling issues that occur on the A55. The alternatives do not stack up. We are talking about a minimum travel time of up to 50 or 60 minutes in an emergency. According to a 2014 French study entitled ‘Where does distance matter?’, there is an increased risk to expectant mothers if they have to travel for more than 20 minutes or 28 miles, and a Dutch study found that transfer time from home to hospital in terms of giving birth of more than just 20 minutes by car was associated with increased risk of mortality and adverse outcomes. We are talking about our vulnerable mothers and their precious babies. Susan Harper, who suffered a ruptured ectopic pregnancy last year, said that doctors had told her that, had she waited 60 minutes—the time this could take—she would have been dead. My own experience changed from normal to emergency, and the options presented today would have meant that I would not be delivering this speech here today and my own daughter would not now be a contributing member of our society.
In 2013, the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists conducted an investigation into consultant medical—I think I’ve said this. It pointed out issues such as the lack of team working, unprofessional behaviour of staff and the lack of supervision. Then, in the progress report, Healthcare Inspectorate Wales and the Wales Audit Office made 24 recommendations on the governance arrangements at BCULHB. However, a particular concern was the board’s
‘inability to submit an integrated medium-term plan to the Welsh Government for approval’
which is expected and required. I ask the health Minister: what have you done to ensure that the health board actually submitted that report? Minister, what steps have you taken in any of this to alleviate what has now become a really problematic situation? We now have clinicians calling for a vote of no-confidence in the health board, saying:
‘This is a very worrying time for patients and employees and the division invites the Minister to make an early statement in the Senedd on this rapidly deteriorating situation.’
They request an investigation into
‘how inadequate leadership and governance at the health board…has allowed this unacceptable situation to develop’.
I request, we request, the people out there request, that you now intervene and stop this downgrade now, once and for all