ALLIANCE and Engender respond to announcement to review maternity services across Scotland

ALLIANCE and Engender call for an intersectional and rights-based approach to underpin a national investigation into maternity services.

The Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland (the ALLIANCE) and Engender are supportive of a national investigation into maternity services which should take a rights-based and intersectional approach. We welcome a new Scottish Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce to provide strategic, national leadership and complement the existing audit and inspection system in place in Scotland.[1] It is critical that women and pregnant people’s experiences of maternity services are listened to and meaningfully influence the Taskforce and shape future services.

We are concerned about the issues raised by the BBC Disclosure documentary ‘How safe is my baby?’[2] and within the Healthcare Improvement Scotland inspection report on the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.[3]

In 2023, the ALLIANCE and Engender undertook research to explore women’s experience of pregnancy and maternity services during the COVID-19 pandemic.[4] This research revealed pre-existing systemic issues which were exacerbated by COVID-19. Our research highlighted that staffing and capacity issues were a concern for pregnant women within all settings and at all points of the system. Continuity of care was another issue; many women described seeing multiple midwives which impacted their ability to build safe and trusting relationships and was felt detrimental to their care. Additionally, women shared that their concerns were dismissed or overlooked including in the context of pain management. 

The ALLIANCE and Engender recommend that a gendered, intersectional and rights-based approach underpins the future development of maternity services in Scotland. It is essential that the learning from women’s experiences informs maternity services to enable a service underpinned by safety, equality, dignity, autonomy and respect.

[1] Ensuring safe maternity services in Scotland: Ministerial statement – gov.scot

[2] Disclosure – How Safe Is My Baby? – BBC iPlayer

[3] Media Release: Inspection report Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, NHS Lothian – Healthcare Improvement Scotland

[4] New report – Experiences of pregnancy and maternity services in Scotland during COVID-19 – Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland

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