Current status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 3 June 2025
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the debate on motion S6M-17186 (Best Start New Model of Neonatal Care) on 30 April 2025, whether the same criteria will be used across Scotland to determine which groups of babies are prioritised for transfer at each phase of implementation of the Best Start new model of neonatal care.
Safety for the babies, families and staff is our utmost priority, which is why we have taken a phased approach to transition, allowing time to build the right levels of capacity in all areas with NHS Boards working towards full implementation by 2026.
Implementation is already underway in the East region with Fife babies transferring to Edinburgh, and in the West Region with Ayrshire babies being transferred to Glasgow.
Each of the three Regions have developed plans for implementation. The plans include a phased approach to implementation and Regions have chosen to take different approaches to phasing.