Inspection highlights sustained progress at Singleton Hospital maternity services, with areas for further improvement
Healthcare Inspectorate Wales (HIW) has published its findings following an inspection of maternity services at Singleton Hospital, managed by Swansea Bay University Health Board. The inspection took place over three days in February 2026 and focused on the quality, safety and experience of care provided to women, babies and families across maternity services. The inspection team identified clear and consistent progress since previous inspections. However, they also noted concerns regarding the timeliness of care provided to women on the postnatal ward, as well as the pressures experienced by staff throughout the service.
Inspectors identified evidence of sustained improvement since previous inspections in 2023 and 2024. This included more effective multidisciplinary working, improved medical handovers, increased leadership stability and clearer systems for reviewing patient risk and escalating concerns. Feedback from women and families was largely positive and reflected a maternity service that is responsive and compassionate. Most women told inspectors they were treated with dignity and respect, felt listened to, and were involved in decisions about their care. Inspectors observed calm, professional and respectful interactions between staff and women and found that one‑to‑one care during birth was consistently provided, with women able to have their birth partners present.
Inspectors observed stronger senior oversight and accountability since previous inspections, with clearer visibility of risks, providing a more robust framework to support learning and continuous improvement across the service. Progress was also seen in medical handovers, notably through the use of daily safety huddles to share information and manage risks, and the implementation of the All‑Wales Maternity Early Warning Score, which helps staff recognise when a woman’s condition may be deteriorating. Infection prevention and control arrangements, medicines management and safeguarding processes were found to be well established, with clear systems to support safe care.
Despite these improvements, inspectors identified challenges that require further action. Whilst staff feedback was more positive in some areas, staff highlighted ongoing pressures, described feeling overworked, and raised concerns about training and professional development. While postnatal feedback was mostly positive, some women were critical of restricted visiting hours and limited staff availability during these periods to respond to their needs in a timely manner. This affected patient dignity and highlighted the impact of wider service pressures. Staff feedback also echoed the experiences shared by women and families on the postnatal ward.
Inspectors also found that, while senior oversight and accountability had improved, further strengthening is required to ensure risks are consistently identified, escalated and acted upon. This included strengthening escalation processes when timely senior clinical review is not available. Inspectors found that the Active Offer, which ensures people are proactively offered services in Welsh without having to ask, was not consistently embedded across the service. Further work is needed, particularly among newer staff, to strengthen equitable access to care.
Inspectors identified that checks of newborn resuscitation equipment were not being consistently completed and recorded, creating a risk that equipment may not be ready for use in emergency situations. HIW therefore sought immediate assurance regarding these arrangements. Inspectors were assured that all equipment was present, functional and had been checked at the time of inspection. The health board has since set out actions to strengthen processes and oversight arrangements to ensure these checks are carried out consistently. Inspectors also noted staff reports of occasional difficulties, during busy periods, in promptly sourcing some essential medical equipment, such as heart rate monitoring equipment for babies (CTG machines), blood pressure monitors and thermometers.
HIW has continued to work closely with the health board since the inspection and has received a comprehensive improvement plan, which sets out how the issues identified will be addressed. HIW will monitor progress to seek assurance that improvements are implemented and sustained.
Alun Jones, Chief Executive of Healthcare Inspectorate Wales, said:
“This inspection shows that continued progress is beginning to make a difference at Singleton Hospital, with clear improvements in leadership, risk identification and management, and the quality of care women experience. While progress is evident, maintaining this momentum must remain a clear priority for the health board to ensure services are consistently safe, effective and deliver a positive experience for women and families. We expect the health board to build on the progress made and deliver tangible, measurable improvements for women, babies and families, and we will continue to monitor this closely.”