Maternity Care in Wales: A Five-Year Vision for the Future

1 Crown copyright 2019 WG37735 Digital ISBN 978-1-83876-643-6 Mae r ddogfen yma hefyd ar gael yn document is also available in Welsh. Maternity Care in Wales A Five Year Vision for the Future (2019-2024)July 20191 Maternity Care in Wales A 5 Year Vision for the Future Foreword The foundations for health and well-being start with pregnancy, birth and the early days of childhood. This report sets out a Vision for achieving high quality Maternity services in Wales. We have listened to mothers and families as well as the multi-professional Maternity team and have produced a Vision for the Future which responds to what they ask of our services.

2 We aim to put the family at the centre of decisions so that all women, babies and their families get the highest quality of care which meets their needs. This Vision has been the result of many people coming together to refresh our model of Maternity care-based on the current available evidence, best practice and feedback from families and frontline staff to design and further improve existing services. I am grateful for the enthusiasm and commitment of all those involved in developing this Vision .

3 The Vision gives us the route map to deliver high quality and safe services which secure improved health and wellbeing for mothers and babies in the short, medium and long term. Person-centred, safe and high quality care for mothers and babies throughout pregnancy, birth and following birth can have a positive impact on the health and life chances of women and babies and on the healthy development of children throughout their life. This can help to reduce the impact of inequalities which can have longer-term health consequences for families, securing the best possible outcomes for mothers, babies and communities.

4 Focussing our resources to improve Maternity services is essential to support the healthy and happy families and communities of the Future . Vaughan Gething Minister for Health and Social Services July 2019 2 Maternity Care in Wales A 5 Year Vision for the Future Executive Summary Our Vision for Maternity services in Wales is to ensure that: Pregnancy and childbirth are a safe and positive experience, and parents are supported to give their child the best start in life. High performing multi professional teams will deliver family-centred care within Health Boards which display strong leadership within a culture of research and development, continuous learning, best practice and innovation.

5 We will achieve this through our 5 principles of Maternity care: Family centred care Safe and effective care Continuity of carer Skilled multi-professional teams Sustainable quality services 3 Maternity Care in Wales A 5 Year Vision for the Future Introduction - Maternity care in Wales Pregnancy and childbirth are life changing events for a woman and her family, momentous and eagerly anticipated. Maternity staff have the opportunity to support a woman and her family through this transition ensuring safe, clinically effective care whilst providing a personalised and positive experience1.

6 In order to ensure that children in Wales have the best start in life we need to develop sustainable services that are able to prepare families for parenthood, as well as responding to their social, emotional and physical health needs. Pregnancy also represents an opportunity to support women to adopt healthy lifestyles and maximise her families health and wellbeing across their life course. This Vision has been developed and informed by all professions working within Maternity services and by women and their families.

7 Development of the Vision Building on the Strategic Vision for Maternity Services in Wales 2, a series of multi-professional engagement events have led to the creation of this new 5 year Vision . These events have reflected and responded to the Your Birth, We Care 3 survey of mothers in Wales and the Midwives Voices Wales survey 4. Welsh Government policy has identified early childhood years and health and wellbeing promotion as priority areas. The key themes of A Healthier Wales: Our plan for health and social care 5, including prudent healthcare, have been incorporated into this Vision .

8 The recent RCOG/RCM review of Cwm Taf Maternity services 6 highlighted specific areas for improvement and learning for Maternity service provision in Wales. Recommendations have been discussed in national multi professional forums and embedded into this Vision . 4 Family centred care Women will receive personalised care, planned in partnership with them and reflecting their choices and health needs Respect and compassion are core values underpinning the care women and their families receive. Respectful family-centred care enables women to have control over their behaviour, surroundings and the treatment they receive.

9 This supports meaningful discussions and shared decision making about their pregnancy, labour, birth and postnatal care. Maternity services also have a key role in promoting the health and wellbeing of the mother and her family, and in preparing families for parenthood Commitments All women and families in Wales will be treated with dignity, compassion and respect. They will be listened to throughout their pregnancy, birth and postpartum care All women will be provided with evidence-based information and have the opportunity to enter into discussions about their Maternity care putting them.

10 Their unborn baby and family at the centre of any decisions All women will be supported to maximise health and wellbeing across their life course and that of their family National Actions The Welsh Maternity Vision will include co-production with women and their families to ensure that decisions relating to service plans and delivery put the family at the centre We will provide choice in place of birth through appropriately staffed and resourced community midwifery teams, freestanding midwifery units, alongside midwifery units and obstetric units across Wales.