What action is the Welsh Government taking to immediately plug the staffing gap at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital whilst looking to attract midwives to Wales over the next year?
Welsh Government officials are continuing to seek weekly assurance from Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board that it is meeting the assessed safe standard of staffing across maternity services. The health board is actively seeking to recruit midwives with ongoing adverts.
In 2017 midwifery training places increased by 43% and an increase in qualified midwives should be seen in 2020. We are aware that this year will see a small shortfall in midwifery graduates prior to the increase in student midwife numbers.
I have therefore asked that the ‘Train, Work, Live’ campaign be extended to include midwifery and I will be attending the Royal College of Midwives annual conference in September.