Copyright scotsman
A national investigation will be launched into maternity services across Scotland after “serious concerns” were raised by mothers. The review is expected to start in the new year after the Scottish Government has heard from clinical experts on the best way forward. Scottish Labour on Wednesday led a debate on this issue in the Scottish Parliament and demanded First Minister John Swinney launch an investigation after a damning report into maternity services at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary. During that debate, Health Secretary Neil Gray told MSPs that a national investigation into the design and delivery of maternity services would only take place if a new taskforce recommended the move. However, less than 24 hours later, Public Health Minister Jenni Minto confirmed the U-turn and said a national probe would now take place. First thing Monday to Friday, The Steamie newsletter bring you the best political news and analysis Dame Jackie Baillie, Scottish Labour’s health spokeswoman, said: “This is a welcome change of heart less than 24 hours after SNP MSPs voted against Scottish Labour’s calls for a national investigation. “It is right that SNP ministers have finally listened to the families and the experts and agreed to carry out this important work. It is crucial that this investigation goes ahead with the urgency needed and covers both maternity and neonatal care. “Too many women and babies have been let down when it matters most, and their experiences must be at the heart of this review. “It is essential that this investigation provides a clear picture of what is going on in maternity and neonatal services in Scotland, and crucially it must lead to meaningful action to improve these services.” Earlier in the week NHS Lothian was told it would face increased intervention from the Scottish Government after a damning review found a “culture of mistrust” had led to patients being harmed. Healthcare Improvement Scotland found “serious concerns” about staff shortages at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary’s maternity unit. Campaigners at Caithness Health Action Group have also told The Scotsman about the concerns they have with maternity care at NHS Highland, with many women forced to travel over 100 miles to give birth. Parents Julie Keegan and Angus McLean, whose three-day-old baby Mason died at the Princess Royal Maternity Hospital in Glasgow in 2023, have welcomed the call for a national investigation. Mason died of sepsis, but staff failed to notice how sick the newborn was. His mother has previously called for a public inquiry into maternity services. She said: “I think it does really show that families do need to be taken seriously and need to be listened to instead of a sort of tick-the-box exercise.” Lori Quate, whose wife and unborn daughter died in 2020, added: “They can look at it, accept that that’s what’s done, and nothing changes, nothing happens - but you get to walk home with somebody less in your family. It’s not acceptable.” This comes after the health secretary revealed he “nearly lost” his wife during pregnancy after “inaccurate assessments”. Mr Gray said the taskforce that had been set up must listen to “women’s experiences of maternity services” and “the voice of frontline midwives”.
