A petitioning mother from North Wales is awaiting a response from the Health Minister regarding a specialist mother and baby unit.

Nia Foulkes, from Pentre-celyn near Ruthin started a petition last year in an attempt to get a specialist mother and baby unit in North Wales.

After giving birth to her son in 2019, Nia was admitted to a unit in Manchester, after almost being sent to Birmingham or Edinburgh. She struggled to be away from her family at the time. With Nia also being a first language Welsh speaker, being in an English hospital created difficulties too.

Ms Foulkes has heard back from the petition committee, who agree that a unit is needed in North Wales and after writing to Health Minister Eluned Morgan, questioning whether there are plans for this service, they now await a response, which could take up to a month.

Nia said: "It is good that the committee agreed with me and for this matter to be proposed to the Health Minister.

"Having a baby is a life changing experience and some mothers find it harder than others and it is very common for women to have difficulties with their mental health at this time. With this in mind an admission to a mother and baby unit could happen to anyone and is an essential service that is needed for many families. So therefore having this service would mean a lot to me and my family.

"So I will wait to hear back from the Senedd and I am still going to push for a mother and baby unit in North Wales, because this is a vital service for North Wales families."