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John Swinney will face First Minister’s Questions after a damning report of an Edinburgh maternity unit raised “serious concerns” on Wednesday. NHS Lothian maternity services came under fire after inspectors found that staffing shortages and a “culture of mistrust” has led to delays and patients being harmed at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh. The review by Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS) found 26 areas in total where required standards had not been met. Scottish health secretary Neil Gray told MSPs on Wednesday that he was “deeply disappointed and concerned by the findings in the report”. The Scottish Government subsequently escalated NHS Lothian maternity services to level three of the NHS support and intervention framework to set things right. The First Minister has been questioned by opposition parties before about his Government’s approach to NHS services and waiting times, with Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar previously saying the NHS is “fighting for survival under Swinney”. The subject could be raised once again following the NHS Lothian maternity services report. FMQs will be broadcast from the Scottish Parliament at midday on Thursday.
