Scottish Labour demands national investigation into maternity and neonatal care

The Scottish Government is facing calls to hold a national investigation into the state of maternity and neonatal care in Scotland following a series of “alarming” inspection reports.

Scottish Labour will hold a debate at Holyrood “sounding the alarm” on patient safety while calling for a national investigation into the design and delivery of maternity and neonatal services across Scotland.

Last week, inspectors raised “serious concerns” about maternity services at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.

Healthcare Improvement Scotland’s report detailed a series of issues at the hospital, including a “suboptimal skill mix”, low staffing levels and “evidence of medication errors occurring involving student midwives”.

In response, Health Secretary Neil Gray announced the creation of a new Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce.

A previous inspection at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee raised concerns about staff shortages and delays in assessing expectant mothers, among a series of safety concerns.

Scottish Labour said there were issues in rural communities too, with some mothers from Stranraer and Caithness having to travel more than 100 miles to give birth.

The party said it will also highlight concerns over plans to downgrade neonatal units across Scotland.

Jackie Baillie, Scottish Labour’s deputy leader and health spokesperson, said: “For many women, the birth of their child will be among the most important moments of their lives and it is crucial that they get the right care.

“The heartbreaking truth is too many women and babies are being let down by dangerously overstretched maternity and neonatal services.

“From city hospitals that cannot cope to rural communities with no services at all, families the length and breadth of Scotland are being failed.

“Staff are working tirelessly to do right by patients but they are being asked to do the impossible.

“Labour delivered an extra £5.2 billion for Scotland, but the SNP has failed to use this money to transform our NHS and deliver much-needed investment in women’s healthcare and rural healthcare.

“Today, MSPs of all parties have a chance to listen to the mums, dads, doctors and experts and agree to a national investigation into these crucial services.”

The Scottish Government has been approached for comment.