Wales: Merthyr Tydfil hospital issues 'compromising safe care' of babies

Cwm Taf Morgannwg health board has said it was making improvements to services after an investigation found major issues concerning the neonatal unit at the Prince Charles hospital in Merthyr Tydfil.

The investigation found the issues were compromising safe and effective care of young babies.

The review led by leading experts adds to previous concerns about the care of babies and their mothers in the area.

Welsh government health minister Eluned Morgan said the findings would be "difficult and upsetting" for families.

She said the review highlighted that a number of areas of concern required immediate action to ensure the safe care of people.

In a statement to the Senedd, Morgan said a panel, set up in 2019 to investigate maternity failings after the health board's maternity services were put into special measures, had found areas ‘impacting on the consistent provision of safe and effective care’ at the unit.

The "deep dive" into the health board's neonatal service was announced by the former Health Minister Vaughan Gething in March.

Concerns emerged in late 2018 that women and babies may have come to harm because of staff shortages and failures to report serious incidents.

An update on the independent panel's work in overseeing improvements as well as its reviews of individual cases is due later this month.