Former children’s commissioner to lead maternity review in Wales
Former Children’s Commissioner for Wales, Professor Sally Holland, has been appointed to chair an independent assessment of maternity and neonatal services across the country.
The panel, announced by Cabinet Secretary for Health and Care Jeremy Miles, will examine the safety and quality of services against national standards. It will provide Welsh Ministers with external assurance and make recommendations for improvements.
Mr Miles said: “This assessment will scrutinise maternity and neonatal services across Wales and provide recommendations for how they can be improved.
“I’ve appointed this panel, which has a wealth of expertise within their respective fields, across national health services, to provide invaluable advice aiming to improve both patient care and experience.
“We are undertaking this assessment to gain assurances about the quality and safety of maternity and neonatal services across Wales.”
The oversight panel includes experts in midwifery, obstetrics, neonatology, health regulation and family engagement. Its members are Ken Sutton, Heidi Smoult, Sue Holden, Dr Edile Murdoch, Dr Jo Mountfield and Professor Mary Renfrew.
Professor Holland said: “Maternity and neonatal services play a crucial role in ensuring safe and positive experiences for mothers, babies and families at a time in their lives when they need the best possible care.
“In this assessment we will ensure that their voices and experiences are at the heart of our work, and that we identify both excellent practice and areas where improvements are urgently needed.
“I am looking forward to working alongside the expert panel to make sure women, babies and families receive the best care possible, wherever they live in Wales.”
The panel will meet for the first time in September and will provide initial advice to the Health Secretary by 31 December 2025.
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