Hywel Dda University Health Board has moved to reassure Ceredigion residents following what it says are recent misleading reports regarding the future of Bronglais Hospital’s maternity services.

Caroline Oakley, Executive Director of Nursing and Midwifery at Hywel Dda University Health Board said: “Contrary to recent reports, no such announcement or decision has been made by Hywel Dda University Health Board regarding the future of maternity services at Bronglais Hospital.

“We await the outcome of the independently led Mid Wales Healthcare Study. This piece of work is pivotal in informing the future direction of all services provided for the communities in Ceredigion, north Powys and south Gwynedd.

“Bronglais continues to provide both midwifery led and consultant led care. We have communicated this in our recent information booklet 'Where Will I Have My Baby', designed to help women from across our area to choose where to give birth. The University Health Board’s online resources at www.hywelddahb.wales.nhs.uk/yourfutureservices also direct mums-to-be expecting in Ceredigion to all the information they need to know about having their baby at Bronglais Hospital.

“If any mum-to-be has any concerns regarding their care following these reports we strongly encourage them to speak to their midwife and we remind staff that support is available from the senior midwifery team should they wish to speak to someone.”

The University Health Board’s consultation of 2012 focused on the future of women and children’s services in the south of Hywel Dda in Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire. On 4 August significant changes were made to how maternity and special care baby services are delivered at Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest and Glangwili Hospital in Carmarthen. Therefore, the information campaign undertaken focused on informing mums-to-be in Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire, as well as the south of Ceredigion where mums-to-be are more likely to choose to deliver at Glangwili Hospital, of these changes.

For more information about the maternity services available at Bronglais, Glangwili and Withybush Hospitals please visit www.hywelddahb.wales.nhs.uk/maternity.