at two health boards, Senedd told

WALES’ Health Secretary yesterday confirmed Swansea Bay maternity services and Cardiff and Vale health board would be escalated to the second-highest level of government intervention.

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Jeremy Miles announced Swansea's services would be escalated to level four on the five-point oversight scale after the damning family-led review on maternity and neonatal services.

Mr Miles said the families’ distressing report and a review commissioned by the health board showed people were not listened to and services fell well below expected standards.

The Health Secretary apologised to families for their experiences, with some describing examples of severe birth trauma, which he said must never happen again.

He told the Senedd: “As a result of the issues raised today and the ongoing concerns from women and families about patient experience, staff attitudes and care provided, I am increasing the escalation level of Swansea Bay's maternity and neonatal services.”

Mr Miles, who issued a written statement providing more detail of the response, said ministers have commissioned an assessment on all maternity and neonatal services.