Scottish Labour Party Debate: Scotland’s Maternity Services

Jackie Baillie S6M-19512 That the Parliament is alarmed by the serious patient safety issues raised in recent inspection reports of maternity services, and calls on the Scottish Government to launch a national investigation into the design and delivery of maternity and neonatal services across Scotland. Further details available for S6M-19512 Neil Gray S6M-19512.3 As an amendment to motion S6M-19512 in the name of Jackie Baillie, leave out from “, and calls” to end and insert “; agrees that a national investigation into the design and delivery of maternity services should take place if Scotland’s new Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce recommends it, and that it should give full consideration to staff and patient welfare; notes that the taskforce will review the findings of Healthcare Improvement Scotland’s inspections into all maternity units in Scotland; recognises that no neonatal unit in Scotland is closing, and notes that the new model of neonatal intensive care in Scotland was recommended by the Best Start 2017 report, following robust clinical evidence on the safest and best possible model for the sickest babies.” Further details available for S6M-19512.3 Dr Sandesh Gulhane S6M-19512.2 As an amendment to motion S6M-19512 in the name of Jackie Baillie, insert at end “; recognises that a comprehensive NHS workforce plan is required for doctors, nurses and midwives to address staffing shortages, and that women in rural areas in particular are facing difficult journeys to access maternity services; urges the Scottish Government to swiftly make improvements to maternity services across Scotland and ensure that the recommendations and requirements issued by Healthcare Improvement Scotland following maternity service inspections are fully implemented, and calls on the Scottish Government to pause its plans to downgrade neonatal intensive care units until the national investigation has concluded and the Scottish Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce has reported on it.” Further details available for S6M-19512.2 Willie Rennie S6M-19512.1 As an amendment to motion S6M-19512 in the name of Jackie Baillie, insert at end “; notes that, following the downgrading of the consultant-led maternity unit at Caithness General Hospital in 2016, women in Caithness can face a 100 mile trip down the A9 to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness to give birth, and calls on the Scottish Government to commission an independent review of maternity services in Caithness.” Further details available for S6M-19512.1