Patient Services in South Wales East

In response to a comment by William Graham AM which drew attention to high risk pregnancies and the fact that mothers from Royal Gwent Hospital were being sent to hospitals in Bridgend and Bristol to give birth, the First Minister, Rhodri Morgan, clarified the situation so far. He noted that he believed Edwina Hart, the Minister for Health and Social Services, had issued a written statement saying that there was an unacceptably low level of staffing among midwives and indicating to Gwent Healthcare NHS Trust that it should up its game considerably in this area, mostly by way of recruiting additional midwives. He believed the figure of 15 was suggested and stated that he would ensure Edwina Hart followed up with William Graham informing him of any further updates.