Stillbirths could be probed by fatal accident inquiries
STILLBIRTHS that occur at full-term in otherwise healthy babies could be investigated by fatal accident inquiries.
A Scots MP whose son was stillborn eight years ago yesterday told the House of Commons the Scottish Government is considering the proposal.
Patricia Gibson, Nationalist MP for North Ayrshire and Arran, lost her baby Kenneth at Glasgow’s Southern General Hospital in October 009.
Speaking in a Westminster debate on Baby Loss Awareness Week last night, she said no parent should ever have to bury a baby without knowing or understanding why they died, adding that the UK’s stillbirth rate remains ‘unacceptably’ and ‘stubbornly high’ despite falling slightly in recent years.
She also said she has asked for coroner inquests in England and FAIs in Scotland to be instigated when stillbirths at full term occur in an otherwise healthy baby. Mrs Gibson said she appreciated such processes were expensive and difficult but the lessons which could be learned would improve the care for future babies.
Health Secretary Shona Robison has agreed to investigate the possibility of her idea, Mrs Gibson said.
She told MPs: ‘The significance of this development cannot be overstated. If after consideration the Crown Office in Scotland decides for whatever reason this cannot be done, then at least we know where we are, what obstacles we’re dealing with and we can set about removing them.
‘And I am convinced this measure will mean fewer of our babies die.
‘When that is shown to be the case, I’m hugely optimistic a similar measure will be adopted in England.’
Mrs Gibson said October 15 would have been her ‘wee boy’s eighth birthday’ as well as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day.
She added: ‘No parent should have to bury their child and not know or understand why they didn’t live. That’s what drives me on.’
Westminster Health Minister Philip Dunne told the Commons last night the Government has invested £35million since 010 to improve birthing environments.