Professor Christine McCourt, who is leading a major review of maternity services in Scotland, has promised that the experiences of bereaved parents will be heard. Families had previously voiced concerns that the forward-looking review might not fully address their feelings of being let down by the NHS.
Professor McCourt stated that engaging with a diverse range of individuals would be valuable in "drawing the right lessons for improvement." The Scottish government confirmed that the review, which commenced this week and is expected to deliver its findings next summer, will incorporate the "direct experiences of women, families and staff at every level of care."
The review was initiated by ministers a year ago after a BBC Disclosure investigation highlighted deficiencies in maternity care across Scotland. Lori Quate, whose wife Jacqui Hunter died in 2020 while giving birth to their stillborn daughter, Olivia, at Ninewells hospital, expressed initial concerns about the review's scope. An NHS review indicated that an overdose of a labour-inducing drug could have contributed to Jacqui Hunter's death.
Professor McCourt, a professor of maternal and child health at City St George's at the University of London, clarified that while the review's remit does not include investigating individual cases, there is significant potential to learn from people's experiences to identify patterns and general lessons. She emphasised the importance of hearing from parents with both negative and positive views.
The review will also address themes identified from safety inspections of maternity units, such as the necessity to listen to families, thoroughly investigate serious incidents, and learn from errors. Health Secretary Angela Constance acknowledged that while most mothers receive good care, some families have been let down, and their experiences must inform improvements.