Positive Culture and Inclusive Maternity Care Praised at Glangwili, with Areas for Improvement

The three-day inspection, carried out in May, reviewed several wards including the antenatal and postnatal ward, labour ward, midwifery-led unit, and triage and day assessment unit. Inspectors focused on the quality and safety of care being provided to patients.

Overall, inspectors observed kind and respectful care delivered in a clean and supportive environment. Staff were seen to show compassion and empathy in their interactions. The service was also praised for its strong focus on dignity, privacy and inclusion, supported by bilingual health information, inclusive breastfeeding support, and a maternity passport designed for neurodiverse individuals. Inspectors also highlighted the role of the patient experience midwife as an example of good practice, along with dedicated outreach work to better support diverse communities.

The report praised the maternity unit for creating a psychologically safe working environment, with strong staff engagement and a well-established learning culture. Notable strengths included effective teamwork during incident reviews, positive practice in theatre sessions, and the introduction of a bereavement room and pathway to support families experiencing loss. Equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) training was described by staff as “meaningful” and “transformative.”

Nonetheless, the report also identifies areas for improvement. These include strengthening staff handovers, better compliance with mandatory training, and ensuring staff have up-to-date access to clinical guidance. Inspectors welcomed the introduction of a formal triage system for maternity care but recommended strengthening audit processes to better support learning and continuous improvement. They also advised reviewing the use of verbal medication instructions to ensure safe practice and reduce the risk of mistakes. Inspectors also recommended making Welsh-speaking staff more visible and helping all staff feel more confident using the Welsh language.

Alun Jones, Chief Executive of Healthcare Inspectorate Wales, said:

Our inspection found that staff at Glangwili Hospital are delivering compassionate, and inclusive care in a calm and respectful environment. We were particularly encouraged by the service’s strong focus on dignity, equality and learning, and by the positive culture described by staff. While we have identified areas for improvement to strengthen safety and consistency, the overall picture is one of a committed team working hard to provide high-quality maternity care. We will continue to engage with Hywel Dda University Health Board to ensure progress against our findings.

May 2025 – Hospital Inspection – Maternity Services – Glangwili General Hospital, Carmarthen