Glangwili Hospital: Maternity ward significantly improved

Maternity services at Glangwili Hospital - once described as "not fit for purpose" - have "significantly improved", inspectors say

A once-troubled maternity ward has "significantly improved" since it was last inspected, a new report says.

About £25m was invested in Glangwili Hospital, Carmarthen, in 2018 after a report found its maternity services "not fit for purpose".

Healthcare Inspectorate Wales (HIW) found many aspects of the service had improved after their latest inspection.

However, it also found there were still some areas of the service that "required attention".

Hywel Dda Health Board, which runs the hospital said the dedication of its team was reflected in the findings.

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The inspection, carried out over three days in November, found staff were "committed to providing a high standard of care" and were seen as being compassionate, kind and friendly to patients.

Inspectors also found most patients they spoke to were happy with the care they were receiving, and the hospital had good arrangements in place to provide bereavement support.

'Significant changes'

HIW noted that leadership at the hospital had improved, and that the hospital was collaborating more effectively with other health boards.

It also found improvements had been made regarding security measures to ensure babies were safe and fully protected within the hospital.

HIW boss Alun Jones said it was "positive" to see "significant changes and improvements" made since the last inspection in 2019.

£25m was invested in maternity services in Glangwili hospital, Carmarthen, three years after a report criticised facilities

However, the inspection found that some women on the post-natal ward were not being given pain relief medication in a "timely manner", or denied the medication without explanation.

Inspectors also found cupboards containing patient records unlocked and with the doors open.

Staff at the hospital reported concern in relation to the responsiveness of consultants to emergencies when requested by junior doctors and midwives

Mr Jones added: "The highlighted issues of concern must be addressed to ensure the quality of care provided continues to improve.

"We will continue to engage with the service to ensure timely progress against our findings."

Hywel Dda Health Board's midwifery and women's services boss, Kathryn Greaves, said: "The dedication of our team is reflected in the findings of HIW inspection team, however, we do not rest on our laurels.

"We are a service that is driven to continually improve and we are committed to delivering a service our communities can be proud of.

"Our improvements will continue and will address the recommendations of the report to provide ongoing assurances for our communities of the quality of the services we have to offer and provide."