Thank you for contacting me about Baby Loss Awareness Week, especially maternity services and care for families that have experienced the loss of their baby.  

I wholeheartedly agree that every woman and their baby should receive personalised, high quality care, and I understand that losing a much-loved and wanted child or having a sick or premature baby will ultimately take an emotional and physical toll on any parent.  I am glad that the UK Government has recently announced that every single stillbirth, neonatal death, suspected brain injury or maternal death will be independently investigated in England and Wales, which I believe is a great step forward for families. 

During the pandemic, my colleagues and I in the Welsh Conservatives have been deeply concerned about the treatment of expectant parents, as well as those who are experiencing the trauma of miscarriage and still birth.  It is unacceptable that a significant number of women in Wales are going through pregnancy scans or labour without a partner or close family member present, and it will be of no surprise that many will need support because of this difficult time.  

While the Welsh Labour-led Government promised to provide better outcomes for women and their families with, or at risk of, perinatal mental health problems through its mental health strategy, we believe that fundamental to the enhancement of perinatal services is fully understanding both need and staffing.  There is also a distinct lack of data, and the real challenges of recruiting staff and providing professional development for staff is vital to overcome before the service is sustainable, efficient and effective.

We must also, as a matter of urgency, explore the expansion of psychological treatments, such as talking therapies, to ensure that parents can be signposted to support services at the earliest opportunity.  My colleague, Andrew RT Davies MS, the Shadow Minister for Health, Social Care and Sport, is continuing to raise these issues directly with the Health Minister.