Concerns, expressed by Rhondda Cynon Taff Liberal Democrats among others about the quality of their regional maternity services, resulting in a Royal Colleges' review, have finally been acted upon by Welsh Health Ministers. I must admit that I was unaware of the difficulties at Cwm Taf Morgannwg until the story broke on BBC Wales and Wales Online yesterday.
The deficiencies listed in the BBC report are partly down to poor management, which is a local matter, but largely because of staff shortage at many levels, which affects all health boards in Wales. The use of agency staff for nursing can be reduced by bring nurse wages up to levels competitive with the rest of the UK, something which can be redressed by the Labour Welsh Government. What Wales can do nothing about is the hostile environment created by the Conservatives in Westminster which is driving away much-needed trained personnel from continental Europe and the Commonwealth.
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