One in three stillborn babies may have survived

One in three babies stillborn at two hospitals in South Wales may have survived had it not been for serious clinical mistakes, a review found today. 

The Independent Maternity Oversight Panel found major failings in 21 of 63 cases at two hospitals run by the Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board.

The cases, which happened between January 2016 and September 2018, took place at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital at Llantrisant and the Prince Charles Hospital in Merthyr Tydfil.

The review was commissioned after the Welsh Government placed maternity services at the Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board into special measures in 2019.

In a further 37 (59%) cases, the review said one or more minor mistakes happened and lessons could be learned from 48 (76%) cases.

There were just four cases (6%) where the panel found no issues with the care received.

The report also highlighted how the views of expectant mothers were often ignored by medical staff and they felt they could not share their concerns.

One said: 'When I went in to see the consultant (a different one) I explained that I had been admitted a few days before and I was still not feeling very well.

'I also told him that I had noticed reduced movement too. He did not appear concerned.'

Another said: '(I was) ... consultant-led but never actually met them until I had my baby and they had died.'

Staff were also criticised for their insensitivity, with one parent telling the authors: 'You had best see him now while he's at his best.'

The review of the 63 cases was broadly similar to the areas of concern identified by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and the Royal College of Midwives, which led to maternity services

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