Swinney rejects call for maternity deaths public inquiry

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 3 Nov, 17:16 · Archive

Scotland's First Minister has ruled out a public inquiry into maternity and neonatal deaths despite demands from bereaved families.

John Swinney has ruled out a public inquiry into maternity and neonatal deaths in Scotland, despite demands from bereaved families for independent scrutiny of failures in NHS care. The First Minister insisted an existing review led by Professor Christine McCourt would provide the answers needed to improve maternity services. His refusal came after more than 100 parents attended a demonstration in Glasgow at the weekend.

Scottish Labour's Jackie Baillie raised figures showing NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde recorded 736 serious adverse events in maternity and neonatal services between 2019 and 2025, with 406 classified as involving a death. The figures, obtained through freedom of information legislation, have prompted concerns about the handling of serious incidents and the effectiveness of internal NHS investigations.

Bereaved parents Julie Keegan and Angus McLean, whose son Mason Scott McLean died aged three days at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in January 2023, led the protest outside Buchanan Galleries on Sunday calling for a public inquiry into maternity and neonatal deaths and serious adverse events.

How it is being reported

• John Swinney rejects bereaved Glasgow families’ call for maternity deaths inquiryJohn Swinney has ruled out a public inquiry into maternity and neonatal deaths in Scotland despite calls from bereaved families for independent scrutiny.Glasgow Times · 3 Nov, 16:48
• Swinney rejects bereaved parents' calls for public inquiry into maternity deathsJohn Swinney rules out a public inquiry into maternity deaths despite bereaved families demanding answers over hundreds of serious NHS incidents.The Herald · 3 Nov, 15:16

In this story: John Swinney · Julie Keegan · Angus McLean · Christine McCourt · Jackie Baillie · NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde · Queen Elizabeth University Hospital · Scotland

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