Temporary suspension of Homebirth Service

Cardiff and Vale University Health Board has made the difficult decision to temporarily suspend its homebirth service with immediate effect until the end of October. This is due to service pressures and short-term staff shortages within the midwifery workforce.

We apologise for any inconvenience, disruption and upset this temporary suspension of services may cause women, birthing people and their partners who have planned for a homebirth during this time.

We would like to assure people that we are committed to midwifery-led care and choice for place of birth for all those birthing within Cardiff and Vale and will reinstate the homebirth service at the earliest possible opportunity.

Our midwifery-led unit at the University Hospital of Wales, which includes four pools, home-from-home rooms and can accommodate partners overnight, will remain open during this time.

Thirty-five brand new midwives have been employed by the Health Board this month, and will be working within maternity services from the 24 October 2023. It is expected that the homebirth service will be operational from this date.

We have already communicated this decision to various partners, including the new citizens voice body, Llais, local Members of the Senedd and MPs, and offered them assurances about future service provision.

If you are planning a home birth you will be offered a birth choices discussion with a consultant midwife to discuss your options. If you have any concerns or queries about this decision, and the impact this may have on your birth experience, please contact the Birth Choices Clinic, run by our consultant midwives, at Birthchoices.cav@wales.nhs.uk