Parents of a boy left with lifelong disabilities due to hospital failings during his birth say no lessons have been learnt. Sian and Rob Channon's son Gethin was born at Swansea's Singleton hospital in 2019 and say his life was "destroyed before he took his own breath" after being left with a serious brain injury. It comes as a report into the hospital's maternity and neonatal services found pregnant women were left alone in labour or had to give birth outside proper areas, with some mums saying they decided not to have more children as a result of their experiences. Swansea Bay health board apologised to parents with a "poor experience" and said it was focused on strengthening its services. Llais, which represents patients in Wales, based its report on more than 500 people's experiences of maternity and neonatal services at Swansea's Singleton Hospital. The report, carried out over several months at the end of 2024, heard about failings in safety, quality of care and respect at almost every stage. Many families felt ignored or unable to raise concerns and Llais could not find anybody who shared "an entirely positive experience of their care". The health board insisted a number of changes have been made but Llais said "cultural, clinical and leadership" improvements were needed. The most serious concerns in the report revolve around mothers who felt the safety of their babies could have been "at risk", with Llais hearing "distressing stories" of women being left alone in labour and failures to recognise and treat infections. Mr Channon said it was horrifying knowing that Gethin's situation was "avoidable". "As a result of catastrophic failings, he was left with lifelong disabilities. A serious brain injury that has shortened his life expectation and left him really struggling day to day. "Gethin can't walk. Gethin can't move on his own. He's fed through a button in his stomach. He's completely reliant on other people for every aspect of his life." Mrs Channon said they found it very difficult to go out anywhere where they see other children. "You can't help but compare children of Gethin's age and wonder why your son isn't running around and splashing in the sea." The couple, who were first made aware ofwhat went wrong during Gethin's birth in 2022, said they were furious a report in 2025 "shows no lessons have been learnt". A total of 76% of people who took part in the survey reported a negative experience or identified failures in the quality of their care, including feeling like being on "a conveyor belt", or "lost in a system". Several women said they were not fully monitored and had to push for examinations. One mum was left feeling "like a slab of meat" after being left "covered in blood". She added: "I had one person taking my clothes off, another inserting a catheter. I was naked and uncovered. My catheter was left in for 26 hours. I had a horrific experience and just left." One mother said: "This experience is one of the main reasons I will not have more children. I cannot go through all that again." Another said: "At birth I wasn't checked for two hours. I went to the toilet and rang the emergency cord - I gave birth in the toilet cubicle." A separate ongoing independent review of the health board's maternity services, commissioned afterserious concerns about maternity services were recordedin 2023 and 2024, is set to be published in the summer. Llais said it wanted to give more families an opportunity to share their experiences. Llais said it was concerning that only 48% of respondents felt involved in decisions about their care, given the importance of informed consent and shared decision-making. Many respondents felt "pressurised" into having their babies induced without full discussion of the risks, benefits and alternatives. Although the report heard examples of staff providing compassionate, professional and supportive care, it found these were often tied to specific individuals. Others described a "dismissive" culture with one woman feeling "judged" after asking for a bath, and was also told "it isn't the Hilton" for asking for a pillow. The report said "a consistent and deeply concerning theme" was people not being listened to, even when they raised serious concerns. One mother said she was told to take paracetamol and "rest up" when she phoned a consultant concerned about reduced movement of her unborn child following a car accident. She said: "I later found out that an accident is one of the main causes of a placental abruption. Which is how we actually lost our son. They didn't listen at all." Inadequate or no pain relief was also a frequent complaint, with many women describing being made to feel they were overreacting or imagining things. This included woman being told they were not in pain, being wrongly told they were not in the process of giving birth or being questioned about why they needed pain relief immediately after stitches. Just 53% of respondents reported postnatal care was "positive", while 21% identified poor care, including feeling neglected, unsupported and even unsafe. "I had to walk two wards to get to my baby after surgery [then] I collapsed at the reception desk," said one respondent. Some women spoke of being unable to reach their newborn due to a lack of assistance after having caesareans. "I couldn't reach my baby. I was told: 'You're the mum, we don't have to do everything for you'," said one respondent. Some women with babies in the neonatal intensive care unit said they were left to manage their own recovery and were unable able to see their babies. Some women told the report stereotypes affected their care, with black women describing being perceived as "aggressive" and others feeling "invisible". Some who spoke English as a second language said they found it difficult to understand information. One new mum, a healthcare professional, said she was warned complaining about her care could threaten her ability to practise medicine in the UK, which she felt led to severe postnatal depression and the breakdown of her marriage. Llais said it wants acknowledgement from the health board of the scale and nature of poor care and commitment to use the report and the independent review findings to learn and report regularly on performance. It has also asked the Welsh government to encourage the development of a national approach to support those harmed by poor maternity care. Medwin Hughes, chairman of Llais, said: "What's needed now is continued leadership across the system to make sure those experiences are heard and acted on." Health board chief executive Abi Harris said the organisation was "completely focused on strengthening our services and the Llais report recognises many of the improvements that have been made". "We will respond fully to all the recommendations of all these important reports together and ensure we learn and act on them," she added. Chairwoman Jan Williams apologised and said she was grateful for the report and did not "underestimate how difficult it will have been for individuals who have had a negative experience of our services to relive that while contributing". The Welsh government said its main concern was for the welfare of the mothers and babies. In a statement, it said: "Considerable work is ongoing to improve the safety and quality of maternity services in Swansea Bay, but as the Llais report indicates, there is still more to do to improve the experiences for all women." It added it had commissioned an assessment of the safety and quality of all maternity units in Wales to "measure the impact of recent interventions made".
'Hospital failings left my son unable to move'
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Parents of Disabled Boy Criticize Hospital Failures in Maternity Care"
Bbc News
7.1
TruthLens AI Summary
The tragic case of Gethin Channon, born with severe disabilities due to alleged failings at Swansea's Singleton Hospital during his birth, highlights serious concerns regarding the hospital's maternity and neonatal services. Gethin's parents, Sian and Rob Channon, assert that their son's life was irrevocably altered due to a serious brain injury sustained at birth, which they believe was preventable. A recent report from Llais, representing patient experiences in Wales, has revealed that many women have faced alarming situations during labor, including being left alone, inadequate monitoring, and failures in care that have led to mothers feeling unsafe. With 76% of survey respondents reporting negative experiences, it is clear that the hospital's maternity services have systemic issues that need urgent attention. The health board has apologized for past failings and claims to be implementing changes, yet the Channons express frustration that, despite the ongoing reports and surveys, they feel no substantial lessons have been learned to prevent such tragedies from recurring.
The report, based on the experiences of over 500 individuals, indicates that many women felt ignored and disrespected during their maternity care. Complaints ranged from inadequate pain relief to feelings of being treated insensitively during vulnerable moments. Some mothers reported being left to manage their own recovery after surgery or facing cultural biases that affected their care. Llais has called for significant improvements in the hospital's culture, clinical practices, and leadership to ensure that patients are listened to and treated with dignity. The Welsh government has acknowledged the ongoing issues and is working to improve the safety and quality of maternity services across the region. The Channons, along with many other families, hope that the findings from the report will lead to meaningful changes that prioritize the health and well-being of mothers and their children, preventing future tragedies like Gethin's from happening again.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article portrays a tragic story of a family affected by hospital failings during childbirth, highlighting systemic issues within Swansea's Singleton Hospital. Through the lens of personal experience, it seeks to shed light on broader concerns regarding maternal and neonatal care standards in the region.
Implications of Hospital Failings
The report suggests that the hospital's maternity services have serious deficiencies, including inadequate support for mothers during labor. The Channon family's experience serves as a poignant example of how these failings have lifelong consequences, provoking outrage and concern within the community. By documenting these experiences, the article aims to generate awareness about the need for reform in hospital practices and patient care.
Community Sentiment
The story is likely to resonate with other families who have faced similar issues, potentially creating a sense of solidarity among those who feel neglected by the healthcare system. The emotional weight of the Channons' narrative may foster public demand for accountability and improvements in healthcare services, emphasizing the importance of listening to patient experiences.
Potential Concealment of Broader Issues
While the article focuses on a specific case, it raises questions about whether systemic issues within the healthcare system are being adequately addressed. The emphasis on individual experiences might divert attention from the underlying structural problems that could require more extensive reform.
Manipulative Elements
There are aspects of the narrative that could be perceived as manipulative, particularly in the emotional language used to describe Gethin's condition and the Channon family's suffering. This emotional appeal may elicit strong reactions from readers, potentially leading to calls for action or changes in policy. The language used is designed to evoke empathy and a sense of urgency regarding the need for change.
Comparative Analysis with Other Reports
When compared to other reports on healthcare failures, this article aligns with a growing body of evidence pointing to systemic issues in maternal care across various regions. Such reports often highlight similar themes of neglect, mismanagement, and a lack of support for families, suggesting a wider issue that transcends individual hospitals.
Public Reaction and Political Implications
The article could spur public outcry and pressure on local health authorities to implement reforms. If the community perceives a lack of action following such revelations, it may influence political dynamics, with healthcare becoming a prominent issue in local elections or public discourse.
Target Audience
This article is likely to appeal to parents, advocates for maternal health, and those concerned about healthcare quality. It speaks directly to individuals who have experienced or are worried about similar issues, fostering a sense of community among those advocating for better healthcare standards.
Economic and Market Impact
While the immediate impact of this news on financial markets may be limited, healthcare companies or stocks associated with the Swansea Bay health board could experience reputational effects. Investors might reconsider their positions depending on public sentiment towards the healthcare sector in the region.
Global Context
The issues raised in this article reflect broader global discussions about healthcare quality and patient rights. As countries grapple with healthcare reforms, such narratives may influence international perceptions of healthcare systems, particularly in the context of maternal and neonatal care.
Use of AI in Reporting
It is possible that AI tools were used in the drafting or analysis of this report, particularly in assessing patient experiences or generating data-driven insights. However, any such influence would likely be subtle, mainly aiding in the compilation of narratives rather than changing the essence of the reported experiences.
The reliability of this news piece is bolstered by its grounding in firsthand accounts and a broader report based on numerous patient experiences. However, the emotional framing and focus on individual stories may introduce a bias that skews public perception towards a more dramatic interpretation of the issues at hand.