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A national investigation is a significant win for the parents who have shared their sometimes distressing personal experiences of maternity services. The Scottish government's position seemed to develop during the parliamentary debate. They started willing to have the investigation if their maternity taskforce led by health minister Jenny Minto recommended it. But when the minister told parliament "I will seek to define from the taskforce how an investigation can take place" that was her nuanced way of confirming there will be a national investigation. It will be for experts on the taskforce to decide on its shape and form and that will take a little time. My expectation is that the investigation will also take into account the inspection work of the watchdog Healthcare Improvement Scotland. It is understood that ministers will communicate next steps with opposition spokespeople on Thursday. While the national investigation will not begin immediately, ministers do not want to hang about. It would be no surprise if it was set up and under way before Holyrood breaks for the 2026 election.
