Hywel Dda University Health Board will seek feedback from service users, staff and stakeholders on proposed changes to obstetric services currently provided through an agreement with Swansea Bay University Health Board at Prince Philip Hospital, Llanelli.
The agreement currently forms part of a hybrid model of care, under which people living in the Hywel Dda area who choose to give birth at Singleton Hospital receive elements of their antenatal care from both health boards.
This model has provided local families with access to consultant-led maternity care in Swansea, while allowing some appointments to take place closer to home.
However, discussions between both health boards have concluded that the current model presents challenges due to differences in clinical guidelines, policies and governance arrangements between the organisations. Reviews have identified that these differences can create inconsistencies due to differing organisational and governance arrangements across two health boards.
As a result, both organisations have agreed that ending the Service Level Agreement will support a safer, more coherent and sustainable pathway for women and babies, while strengthening clinical governance, continuity of care and accountability.
Under the proposed arrangements, people living in the Hywel Dda area who choose to give birth at Singleton Hospital would receive their consultant-led antenatal care in Swansea. However, if their pregnancy does not need consultant oversight, they will continue to receive community midwifery care from Hywel Dda University Health Board.
To maintain local provision for those choosing to give birth within Carmarthenshire, the existing satellite clinic at Prince Philip Hospital would be replaced by a Hywel Dda-led obstetric clinic.
On 6 June 2026, Hywel Dda University Health Board received formal notification from Swansea Bay University Health Board and the contract is due to end on 9 December 2026, subject to completion of public engagement.
The Health Board will undertake a six-week engagement exercise from 17 August 2026 to gather views to better understand the potential impact of this change and what could be put in place to support service users.
Sharon Daniel, Director of Nursing, Quality and Patient Experience at Hywel Dda at Hywel Dda University Health Board, said: “The safety and quality of care for pregnant women and people and babies must always be our primary consideration.
“The current arrangement has enabled people from our area to access consultant-led maternity services in Swansea while attending some appointments closer to home. However, reviews undertaken by both health boards have highlighted that operating across two organisations with different clinical and governance frameworks can create challenges.
“The engagement process will help us better understand any impact of the changes and ensure that feedback from service users, staff and stakeholders is considered as we plan the implementation of the new ways of working. Providing the highest quality service to our families continues to be our priority.”
To find out about opportunities to have your say on how local health services are planned, developed and delivered across Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire join our involvement and engagement scheme Siarad Iechyd / Talking Health. Join today by visiting www.haveyoursay.hduhb.wales.nhs.uk/siarad-iechyd-talking-health.
Details of the engagement process, including how people can share their views, will be published ahead of the engagement period commencing on 17 August 2026.
