Women due to give birth in the coming weeks in the Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board area have been told they can no longer have the births they planned due to “significant staffing challenges”. The changes affect women in Bridgend, Rhondda Cynon Taf and Merthyr Tydfil.
Temporary suspension of services
Health board bosses have taken the decision to suspend its home birth services and shut the midwifery-led Tirion birth centre at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital in Llantrisant for the next six weeks. The centre opened in 2019 and is staffed and managed by midwives, offering three rooms for women following a midwife-led care pathway.
No confirmation has been given as to when Tirion will reopen or when home births will resume. In a statement, Cwm Taf Morgannwg said the temporary change will be “reviewed” after a six-week period. The health board also apologised for any “concern” caused by the “temporary suspension”.
Alternative options for women
Women who were due to give birth at Tirion but still wish to have a midwifery-led birth will have access to care at the Tair Afon birth centre at Prince Charles Hospital in Merthyr and at the Princess of Wales Hospital in Bridgend. Antenatal and postnatal services, including breastfeeding support, will continue to operate as usual from Tirion during the day.
A spokesperson for Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board said: “Due to significant staffing challenges, we have taken the difficult decision to temporarily suspend our home birth service and midwifery-led births at Tirion Birth Centre. We will review this temporary change after a six week period.
“Women who wish to give birth in a midwifery-led birth centre will continue to have access to midwifery led care at Tair Afon Birth Centre, Prince Charles Hospital, and at Princess of Wales Hospital. Antenatal and postnatal services including breast feeding support will continue to operate as usual from Tirion Birth Centre during the day.”
Our community midwives are available to support families to discuss their birth options. We apologise for any concern this temporary suspension may cause and thank our women and families for their understanding.
