Singleton hospital: Baby death due to maternity failure, says mum

Donna Ockenden, chairwoman of two of the NHS’s biggest maternity reviews, said listening to families was the “only way forward”.

“The accounts from these families are deeply distressing,” she said.

She said a “very large number of health boards” were struggling with maternity resources.

“I think that when something goes wrong, as it clearly has at Swansea Bay, the very first step should be to engage families in the process.

“The families have clearly articulated that they do not have any confidence whatsoever in this current review.”

She added there was precedent for failing reviews to be closed, and backed the families’ calls for this to happen.

Swansea Bay health board said it had investigated and provided “a comprehensive response” when contacted by Ms Kemble’s solicitor and “no breach of care was identified”.

It added: “We understand the families’ strength of feeling, and we all want the same outcome – to have a maternity and neonatal service which is the best it can be.

“The review is now under way, with letters to be issued to families shortly inviting them to come forward to give their views.”

The Welsh government said it would be “seeking ongoing assurance that the health board is constructively supporting the review process and robustly responding to any emerging concerns and learning as a priority”.

“It is essential that this review has meaningful engagement with families and staff,” it said.

Speaking to Radio Wales Breakfast, First Minister Eluned Morgan said she had written to the health board “to require them to make sure that they do involve the families”, but she thought it was “important we allow that system to run”.