A WOMAN died at Newport’s Royal Gwent Hospital shortly after giving birth at the hospital’s maternity ward.

The woman, who was living in the Newport area but was originally from Zimbabwe, died in the hospital’s intensive care unit on April 11 after recently giving birth.

A spokesman for the Aneurin Bevan Health Board said the case had been referred to the coroner.

The health board spokesman added: “We are doing everything we can to support the family at this very sad time."

Gwent coroner’s officer Kenneth Le Provost confirmed they were dealing with the death and a post mortem examination had been carried out.

He said the woman’s body had been released to her family so it could be returned to Zimbabwe for her funeral.

Maternity services run by Gwent Healthcare Trust, now covered by the Aneurin Bevan Health Board, were made the subject of special measures arrangements in April 2008 after the death of seven new mums between 2005 and 2007 triggered a review by the Health Inspectorate Wales (HIW).

The HIW's report found no common link between the new mothers' deaths, but raised concerns about care provided by the Aneurin Bevan Health Board's maternity services.

Another HIW report in February 2009 declared maternity services at the hospital were “safe”, but the Trust apologised for any deficiencies in its service. Special measures were lifted in September 2009.

A statement from the HIW yesterday said: "Health boards advise the Assembly Government as a matter of routine where a serious incident or an unexpected death occurs in a hospital. As is usual in such cases the death has been referred to the Coroner.

It would therefore be inappropriate to comment further."