Help make sure your local maternity and neonatal services are improving

Women, parents and family members are being encouraged to share their recent experiences of maternity and neonatal services as part of a national assessment of their safety.

The voices and experiences of women, parents and families, and the maternity and neonatal workforce in Wales will be at the heart of the Maternity and Neonatal National Assurance Assessment commissioned by Welsh Government.

The Independent Oversight Panel appointed to undertake the assessment is hosting a range of listening sessions throughout Wales. Whether positive or more challenging, the panel aims to capture a full range of recent experiences of maternity and neonatal care, representative of all communities.

A series of in-person individual and group listening sessions will be held throughout Wales during October and November. Sessions are currently available in Cardiff.

Virtual listening sessions by video will be held for those unable to attend the sessions in their area or if preferred, while people can also share their recent experiences in writing.

Recent experiences can be shared anonymously, and appropriate support will be offered to all participants.

Independent Oversight Panel Chair, Professor Sally Holland, said:

“We cannot understand the quality and safety of maternity and neonatal services without hearing first-hand from women, parents, families and staff about their experiences. This is a central part of our assessment.

“It is important that people in every community across Wales have the opportunity to participate in the listening sessions to ensure we have as well rounded a view of the current experience of accessing maternity and neonatal services as possible. We will therefore be working to reach community, third sector and faith groups throughout Wales as part of the assessment and would encourage any such groups to get in touch with us to take part.”

Find out more about the Maternity and Neonatal National Assurance Assessment here.