A CARMARTHENSHIRE labour ward has been labelled not fit for purpose in a damning report into health board, Hywel Dda.

The ward at West Wales General Hospital, Glangwili, in Carmarthen, was criticised for being “too small, with insufficient facilities” and that it “provides a poor environment for woman and staff.”

The findings of the report, by The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health in conjunction with other colleges and a lay member, was presented at last week’s full meeting of the Board, where the findings were accepted.

Problems with the ward, the report stated, were added to by the closure of Withybush Hospital in Pembrokeshire, which led to services being moved to Glangwili.

"The increased numbers of women using the unit, including those with high-risk pregnancies from Pembrokeshire, has put additional pressure on the staff with two culturally very different teams learning to work together in cramped and difficult conditions," it stated.

Speaking at the meeting, Dr John Trounce, a member of the review team and a Consultant Paediatrician, said: “We found services in general to be safe with improving outcomes and better compliance with professional standards. There is no clinical sense in reversing the major decisions of reconfiguration made one year ago.

“A top priority in this review has been patient safety. There has been a lot of anxiety but this has largely been a perception and we did not find as a result of service change, significant adverse clinical outcomes for patients.”

“The feedback from patients has generally been very supportive of the care received,” he said. “There is a lot of enthusiasm by staff for the services they provide and the phase two development, and there is an urgent need to progress this as the environment has a knock on affect on patient care.”

Board members accepted the report and agreed to a series of steps, including creating an action plan, initiating phase two of the capital development project at Glangwili Hospital and to proceed with an organisational development plan for staff in women and children’s services.

Chief Executive Steve Moore said: “This is a hugely important moment for the health board in this journey.

"It is important to note the comments made on our community paediatric services as well as hospital based services as we need to do a lot more in the community and ensure we do not miss the voice of families who may be struggling. This has to be part of our reflection and subsequent action plan.”