Siambr · Vikki Howells
Written questions
57 written questions on record from the Seventh Senedd on, newest first. Page 2 of 2.
WQ99096 · Tabled · Answered
How is the Welsh Government monitoring delivery of the commitments set out in the Quality Statement for Maternity and Neonatal Services across health boards?
Answered by Deputy Minister for Social Care, Mental Health and Women’s Health
The Welsh Government recognises the deeply distressing impact of losing a baby at any stage of pregnancy. While the latest MBRRACE UK report, published on 11 June 2026, reflects some welcome progress in terms of reductions in overall stillbirth and mortality rates, we are acutely aware of the need for further action to improve outcomes for babies and parents in Wales. This is a key priority for the Welsh Government, and in this respect we are reviewing how service performance is monitored. This includes improving data collection in this area.
The report also shows that babies in the most deprived areas and those from Black and Asian ethnic groups are still at higher risk of death.
The five National Bereavement Care Pathways focus on miscarriage, termination of pregnancy for foetal anomaly, stillbirth, neonatal death and sudden unexpected death in infancy, and are scheduled to be published imminently.
The Path to Safer Beginnings report, published in February 2026, sets out the findings of the independent assessment of maternity and neonatal services in Wales. The independent panel was tasked with assessing services against the National Perinatal Quality Statement and Standards, identifying strengths and areas for improvement, and making actionable recommendations to enhance safety and equity. Welsh Government and the NHS are ensuring the recommendations from the report are being taken forward through a structured improvement programme over the next three years, providing a clear and disciplined framework to support safe, sustainable and long-term change. This
phased approach will support maternity and neonatal services to embed meaningful improvements while maintaining a strong focus on quality and safety. Welsh Government will continue to monitor progress through programme governance to inform policy development.
WQ99095 · Tabled · Answered
When will the National Bereavement Care Pathway for families affected by pregnancy and baby loss be rolled out across Wales?
Answered by Deputy Minister for Social Care, Mental Health and Women’s Health
The Welsh Government recognises the deeply distressing impact of losing a baby at any stage of pregnancy. While the latest MBRRACE UK report, published on 11 June 2026, reflects some welcome progress in terms of reductions in overall stillbirth and mortality rates, we are acutely aware of the need for further action to improve outcomes for babies and parents in Wales. This is a key priority for the Welsh Government, and in this respect we are reviewing how service performance is monitored. This includes improving data collection in this area.
The report also shows that babies in the most deprived areas and those from Black and Asian ethnic groups are still at higher risk of death.
The five National Bereavement Care Pathways focus on miscarriage, termination of pregnancy for foetal anomaly, stillbirth, neonatal death and sudden unexpected death in infancy, and are scheduled to be published imminently.
The Path to Safer Beginnings report, published in February 2026, sets out the findings of the independent assessment of maternity and neonatal services in Wales. The independent panel was tasked with assessing services against the National Perinatal Quality Statement and Standards, identifying strengths and areas for improvement, and making actionable recommendations to enhance safety and equity. Welsh Government and the NHS are ensuring the recommendations from the report are being taken forward through a structured improvement programme over the next three years, providing a clear and disciplined framework to support safe, sustainable and long-term change. This
phased approach will support maternity and neonatal services to embed meaningful improvements while maintaining a strong focus on quality and safety. Welsh Government will continue to monitor progress through programme governance to inform policy development.
WQ99094 · Tabled · Answered
What assessment has the Welsh Government made of the reasons why Wales continues to have the highest stillbirth rate of the four UK nations?
Answered by Deputy Minister for Social Care, Mental Health and Women’s Health
The Welsh Government recognises the deeply distressing impact of losing a baby at any stage of pregnancy. While the latest MBRRACE UK report, published on 11 June 2026, reflects some welcome progress in terms of reductions in overall stillbirth and mortality rates, we are acutely aware of the need for further action to improve outcomes for babies and parents in Wales. This is a key priority for the Welsh Government, and in this respect we are reviewing how service performance is monitored. This includes improving data collection in this area.
The report also shows that babies in the most deprived areas and those from Black and Asian ethnic groups are still at higher risk of death.
The five National Bereavement Care Pathways focus on miscarriage, termination of pregnancy for foetal anomaly, stillbirth, neonatal death and sudden unexpected death in infancy, and are scheduled to be published imminently.
The Path to Safer Beginnings report, published in February 2026, sets out the findings of the independent assessment of maternity and neonatal services in Wales. The independent panel was tasked with assessing services against the National Perinatal Quality Statement and Standards, identifying strengths and areas for improvement, and making actionable recommendations to enhance safety and equity. Welsh Government and the NHS are ensuring the recommendations from the report are being taken forward through a structured improvement programme over the next three years, providing a clear and disciplined framework to support safe, sustainable and long-term change. This
phased approach will support maternity and neonatal services to embed meaningful improvements while maintaining a strong focus on quality and safety. Welsh Government will continue to monitor progress through programme governance to inform policy development.
WQ98825 · Tabled · Answered
What action is the Welsh Government taking, in partnership with Public Health Wales, to reduce childhood mortality and ensure that learning from child deaths leads to improvements in services and outcomes?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
Substantive response
WQ98824 · Tabled · Answered
What steps is the Welsh Government taking to reduce stillbirth and neonatal death rates in Wales?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
Substantive response
WQ98804 · Tabled · Answered
What assessment has the Government made of the impact of prohibiting the use of large steel lattice pylons for new 11-132 kV lines in Wales on customers' energy bills?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy
We have been clear on our approach to pylons. We will be setting out further details on our policy during the summer building on the evidence collected about the costs and impacts of new networks.
WQ98803 · Tabled · Answered
What estimate has the Government made of whether the Welsh Government's renewable energy target of 100 per cent electricity generated from renewable sources by 2040 is achievable alongside prohibiting the use of large steel lattice pylons for new 11-132 kV lines in Wales?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy
The inherited target was to meet the equivalent of 100% of our annual electricity consumption from renewable sources by 2035, and to continue to keep pace with consumption thereafter. Our 100-day plan includes a commitment to consider new renewable targets on generation by technology. We will be setting out further details on our policy during the summer, building on the evidence collected about the costs and impacts of new networks.
Official verbatim record: each question and answer as the Record prints it. Answers are signed with a job title, as published.