Inspections of maternity units to begin in January
Healthcare Improvement Scotland will carry out inspections of maternity units from January 2025.
Units will get no advanced warning of the inspection visits. The findings from each inspection will be made publicly available.
The move follows a recommendation in our report on neonatal death rates, published in February. The report recommended review of maternity and neonatal care to prevent as many baby deaths as possible.
During the inspections, which will last 1 – 3 days, our inspectors will:
- look at care
- speak to staff and senior managers
- talk to mothers and families
- review information about staffing levels, culture and leadership in the units.
Inspections will focus on how care for mothers and babies can be improved.
Our inspectors will raise issues with staff during their visit so they can be addressed immediately. The NHS board will provide an improvement action plan for addressing any problems. This will be published alongside the inspection report.
Our inspection team can also escalate serious issues to Scottish Government and close wards if needed.
Ann Gow, our Director of Nursing and Systems, said:
“Our inspections of maternity units will provide assurance around the care women and babies can expect to receive.
“Expectant families will be able to read independent reports of the care they can expect to receive, at what can be a worrying time. Where improvements are needed, they can be assured the maternity unit has accepted the findings and has an improvement action plan.”
Helen Mactier, Chair of the neonatal review report that prompted the maternity unit inspections, said:
“Our report stated that the findings should be reviewed and next steps agreed. I’m delighted to hear that maternity unit inspections are to begin in Scotland from January.
“This will play a key part in keeping mothers and babies safe, and improve maternity care across Scotland.”