A maternity service that is leading the way in delivering culturally competent maternity care and improvements outlined in the Welsh Government’s Anti-Racism Action Plan has received royal recognition.
The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) patron, Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, today visited the midwives and maternity staff at The Grange Hospital to see first hand the award-winning work of Aneurin Bevan University Health Board’s maternity services.
The maternity service was recognised in October 2024 with a Diverse Cymru Silver Award for their work to ensure that cultural competencies are embedded in every aspect of the maternity care the hardworking staff deliver.
The RCM says that the staff have created a kind supportive service where care is personalised and focused on people’s needs, language and backgrounds.
The service is ‘really making a difference’, according to the RCM, with the development of a maternity language volunteer scheme to support those using the service for whom English is not their first language and the creation of multilingual pregnancy and service resources which ensure crucial information is understood by all.
Commenting, RCM Cymru Director Julie Richards said:
“We are so proud of the work that’s been undertaken by our members and the wider maternity team at Aneurin Bevan to improve the maternity experience of Black, Asian and other minority ethnic women and their families. The improvements they have made will undoubtedly go towards improving maternity outcomes multi-disciplinary equality working group which has kept the voices, feedback and experiences of those using their maternity services at the centre of their work has generated so many ideas and solutions that have been instrumental to the positive changes that have happened.
“It’s fantastic that our Patron, HRH The Princess Royal, toured the service today and heard first-hand from our members about the improvement work they’ve undertaken. I know it meant a lot to them. The team at RCM Cymru have also appreciated working with the staff on these improvements. Their successes are something the team and I will continue to share as we work to promote an increased cultural competence in all maternity services across Wales.”
Much of the equality, diversity and inclusion work has been driven by RCM Fellow and Consultant Midwife Emma Mills who was named RCM midwife for Wales in 2012 and was recognised for her community and family engagement with the Chief Midwifery Officer award in 2023. Emma’s passion and commitment to fostering positive workplace cultures and championing equality, diversity and inclusion for all those using and working in maternity services has been instrumental to the improvement of work at Aneurin Bevan.
Jayne Beasley, Head of Midwifery at Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, said:
“It was an absolute privilege to share our journey with HRH The Princess Royal today. Our team is passionate about creating an environment where every person feels valued, understood, and supported.
“The projects we’ve introduced – from community volunteer schemes to multilingual resources – have all come from listening to the voices of the people we serve. Today’s visit is a huge honor for our staff and for the communities who have worked with us to make this vision a reality.”
During her visit HRH The Princess Royal was greeted by the RCM’s President, Sophie Russell. Her Royal Highness also met and spoke with members of the local RCM branch and met staff who have been instrumental in embedding cultural awareness in every aspect of maternity care they deliver. She also unveiled a commemorative plaque to mark the occasion.
ENDS
To contact the RCM Media Office call 020 7312 3456, or email media@rcm.org.uk
Notes to Editors
The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) is the only trade union and professional association dedicated to serving midwifery and the whole midwifery team. We provide workplace advice and support, professional and clinical guidance, and information, and learning opportunities with our broad range of events, conferences, and online resources. For more information visit the RCM | A professional organisation and trade union dedicated to serving the whole midwifery team
