Maternity units across Scotland will undergo unannounced inspections from next year as part of improvements to help “prevent as many baby deaths as possible”.

The move by Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS) follows a recommendation by experts after a number of spikes in the deaths of newborns in recent years.

A neonatal review report published in February noted there had been 135 neonatal deaths in Scotland between April 2021 and March 2022.

It was branded a “significant increase”, with an estimated 30 additional deaths of babies within 28 days of birth across that period compared with the previous four years.

The review was ordered after Public Health Scotland (PHS) data showed spikes in September 2021 and March 2022, which breached statistical control limits.

The report concluded the registered causes were broadly similar to those in previous years, “with no new or unusual causes of death identified”.

The experts also ruled there was no evidence of systemic failures of maternity or neonatal care across Scotland or in any one NHS board that would account for the rise.

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HIS said the report recommended a review of maternity and neonatal care to “prevent as many baby deaths as possible”.

Helen Mactier, chair of the report that prompted the inspections, said she was “delighted” with the announcement.

The retired consultant neonatologist added: “This will play a key part in keeping mothers and babies safe, and improve maternity care across Scotland.”

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The inspections will begin in January, with the findings publicly reported.

The visits – lasting one to three days – will focus on how care for mothers and babies can be improved.

Inspectors will observe the care given to patients and speak to staff, senior managers, mothers and families. They will also review information about staffing levels, culture and leadership in the units.

HIS said any issues will be raised with staff during the visit so they “can be addressed immediately”.

The NHS board will then be expected to provide an improvement action plan for addressing any problems. This will be published alongside the inspection report.

The inspection team will also have the power to escalate serious issues to the Scottish government and close wards if needed.

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Ann Gow, director of nursing and systems at HIS, said: “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.”

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