That the Parliament is alarmed by the serious patient safety issues raised in recent inspection reports of maternity services; 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: 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; 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.
Supported by:
Carol Mochan, Paul Sweeney
Result 73 for, 27 against, 20 abstained, 9 did not vote Agreed
Scottish National Party
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Scottish Labour
Scottish Green Party
Independent
Scottish Liberal Democrats
No Party Affiliation
Reform UK
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.
Submitted by: Willie Rennie, North East Fife, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date lodged: Tuesday, November 4, 2025
Current status: Taken in the chamber on Wednesday, November 5, 2025
Submitted by: Dr Sandesh Gulhane, Glasgow, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date lodged: Tuesday, November 4, 2025
Current status: Taken in the chamber on Wednesday, November 5, 2025
Submitted by: Neil Gray, Airdrie and Shotts, Scottish National Party, Date lodged: Tuesday, November 4, 2025
Supported by: Tom Arthur, Jenni Minto, Maree Todd
Current status: Taken in the chamber on Wednesday, November 5, 2025