Ex-Commissioner for Children to Lead Comprehensive Evaluation of Maternity and Newborn Care Services Nationwide in Wales

Wales is taking decisive steps to improve the safety and quality of its maternity and neonatal services. The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Jeremy Miles, has announced the formation of an independent panel of experts to oversee the assurance assessment of these services.

At the helm of the panel is Professor Linda Holland, a leading social care academic with expertise in child and family welfare, child protection, public involvement, equality, diversity, and inclusion. Professor Holland's extensive experience makes her well-suited to lead this important initiative.

The panel includes a diverse group of experts, each bringing their unique insights to the table. Dr Jo Mountfield, a retired consultant obstetrician with over 20 years of experience, will be contributing her expertise. Mountfield is a past chair of the specialty education advisory committee at the Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecologists.

Heidi Smoult, who began her career as a midwife and has experience in quality review and incident investigations, will also be part of the panel. Smoult was previously Chief Executive at Northampton General Hospital NHS and Deputy Chief Inspector at the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Ken Sutton, who was previously the Director for Crime and Policing at the Home Office and Secretary to the Independent Investigation into Maternity and Neonatal Services in East Kent, will also lend his expertise.

Sue Holden, the Chair of Advancing Quality Alliance (Aqua) and a seasoned nursing and midwifery professional with 15 years of clinical experience, will also be part of the panel. Holden was previously the National Director for Intensive Support at NHS England and NHS Improvement.

The panel will also include Dr Edile Murdoch, a consultant neonatologist in NHS Lothian Edinburgh and one of the national specialty advisors for NHS England maternity and neonatal programme. Dr Murdoch's expertise in neonatology will be invaluable in ensuring the assessment is comprehensive.

The voices and experiences of women and families will be central to understanding the quality, safety, and culture of maternity and neonatal services. The panel will work to ensure that these voices are heard and considered in their assessment.

The assurance assessment is a response to the independent review of Swansea Bay's maternity services and concerns about other UK maternity and neonatal units. The panel's recommendations will provide the Health Secretary with guidance on the future development and improvement of maternity and neonatal services in Wales.

The expert panel will provide their initial advice to the Health Secretary by the end of this year. The panel's work will undoubtedly play a crucial role in ensuring the safety and quality of maternity and neonatal services in Wales for years to come.