Scotland's Maternity Crisis - We will listen and learn, says health secretary
Cabinet Secretary for Health and Care Angela Constance on our investigation into maternity services in Scotland
Last year in Scotland we welcomed over 45,000 new babies to the world. Whilst the vast majority of mothers got the high standard of care that they should expect, I have also heard from families who have been let down, and those who have bravely told me their tragic and very moving stories of loss at a time when they were expecting the joy of a new baby.
To any parent or family who has experienced a loss, I offer my heartfelt condolences. While nothing can undo what they have endured, we have a responsibility to listen, learn and change to ensure improvements to Scotland’s maternity services are made.
Although the vast majority of births in Scotland are safe, when things go wrong or the very worst happens, I am clear every family deserves honest and transparent answers, support and care. It's why the Scottish Government commissioned an inspection of every acute maternity unit through Healthcare Improvement Scotland.
These inspections are well underway and are shining a light on the exceptional efforts of our midwives, obstetricians and wider maternity workforce, but also on the issues that require urgent attention. For example, as a result of these inspections we have already started work to improve maternity triage.
A series of themes are emerging from these inspections and it's why one of my first actions as health and care Secretary was to commission an independent review of maternity services as a whole, chaired by Professor Christine McCourt. I want to identify the steps that the government and the NHS need to take to deliver real change.
The review is intended to be forward looking so that we make improvements and design maternity services that are fit for the future. In addition, I have asked that the review pay specific attention to capacity, workforce, culture, leadership and importantly how services are delivered in different parts of our country.
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I want to ensure communities in rural Scotland receive the high-quality care they expect, and I also want to ensure women from communities that face poorer outcomes in maternity care are fully involved. Central to all of this will be the experiences of women, families and staff, with Prof McCourt placing their voices at the heart of her investigation.
The review will conclude within nine months. But maternity services are working now to improve care. Alongside the inspections of every maternity unit, we are also taking steps to deliver recommendations from Scotland’s Nursing and Midwifery Taskforce. I also recently met Scotland’s Patient Safety Commissioner and have taken on board the clear recommendations she has made.
However, standards and reviews are only part of the picture. When concerns arise, families should get an open, honest and compassionate response. The work underway to strengthen significant adverse event reviews is critical, alongside work to improve bereavement care and deliver the Patient Charter for Miscarriage Care in Scotland, the first of its kind in the UK.
I have read in detail the stories shared this week in The Scotsman and Scotland on Sunday I want to be unequivocal in setting out the Scottish government’s long-term commitment to improving how women, babies and their families are cared for. We will listen, we will learn and we will support our dedicated NHS professionals to provide the safe and compassionate care that everyone deserves.
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