Maternity review head resigns after calls to go

The person leading a review of maternity and neonatal services at a Welsh health board has stood down following families’ calls for her resignation.

Margaret Bowron KC had been appointed by Swansea Bay University Health Board (SBUHB) as chair of a panel overseeing the independent review.

Her resignation letter said: “I have come to realise that my appointment has become a considerable and regrettable distraction."

Maternity services at the board were placed under increased monitoring last year over concerns for the care given to mothers and babies at the city's Singleton Hospital.

In her letter Ms Bowron added that “behaving with kindness and civility in the face of adversity, and in such a charged situation, is inevitably extremely challenging for us all.

"I make no criticism of the behaviour and messaging on social media of those who have sought my resignation.”

Health Minister Eluned Morgan placed Singleton Hospital under “enhanced monitoring” in December, with the health board further setting up the review to “maintain public confidence”.

The parents of Gethin Channon, who was born with quadriplegic cerebral palsy in 2019, are among those who have campaigned for improvements.

Dad Rob Channon said they have been vocal on social media but had “never set out to pick a fight with Margaret Bowron”.

He said the families had asked for a meeting with the chair of the oversight panel when she was first appointed, but claimed it was her refusal that triggered concern.

“It all spiralled from that,” said Mr Channon.

“A letter signed by 29 families was sent on 14 February this year asking her to reconsider her approach or stand down.

“We strongly believe that had she worked with families rather than against them we would never have got into this situation.”

The health board has asked Dr Denise Chaffer to step into the role as chair of the independent review, on an interim basis.

She is an existing member of the oversight panel and the health board describe her as “an experienced leader in maternity and patient safety” with no previous involvement with Swansea Bay.

Mwoyo Makuto, regional director of Llais for Neath Port Talbot and Swansea - the body aiming to give people a voice in health and social care - agreed that an early meeting between the families and the review body could have prevented a break down in relations.

“Our consistent messaging was to make sure people feel included so that the work of the review body is open and transparent,” she said.

“People with stories to share when things haven’t got as they would have wished, are looking for reassurance. We want to restore and build relationships and I know the health board is just as committed to that.”

Dr Chaffer said: “Hearing the voice of parents and wider stakeholders will be central to my approach, to ensure we can deliver meaningful change together.

“Next steps will be meeting with a range of maternity and neonatal service users to hear and discuss their views about this review going forward.”