The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
New Dundee mum Sara Coleman is delighted with her baby box for little Cole, but the Scottish Government yesterday came under fire after safety concerns were raised over a thermometer in the welcome pack.
Emails reveal officials were repeatedly informed of potential issue
Tens of thousands of ear thermometers have been sent to families in baby boxes despite Scottish Government officials being made aware of a “safety concern”.
Emails released to The Courier under Freedom of Information laws reveal how bosses were repeatedly informed of a potential issue with the devices.
Questions were raised about the inclusion of the thermometers as early as December 2016 after official NHS advice highlighted the increased chances of parents receiving “misleading” results if they were used on babies.
The emails also show officials privately admitted last year they “haven’t been able to identify any definitive advice” on the issue, although they stressed no healthcare expert raised concerns about the devices during the “rigorous” selection process.
The communications reveal how at least one family has reported being sent to hospital over a “ridiculously high” temperature reading which turned out to be normal.
A spokeswoman for the government said it was “reviewing baby box guidelines to emphasise the importance of reading all instructions before use”.
The memos show the concerns were highlighted in the weeks before the launch of the baby box initiative in January 2017 and again last year.
NHS advice recommends using digital thermometers under a child’s armpit.
It states ear thermometers “can give misleading readings if you don’t put them in the ear correctly, which is more likely to happen with babies because their ear holes are so small”.
Despite the NHS advice, the Scottish Government’s Parent Club website states the devices are “suitable for all ages”.
Scottish Conservative health spokesman Miles Briggs questioned why the government had “neglected to mention this vital piece of information” about thermometers amid the “fanfare” surrounding the baby box.
He said: “Amid all the SNP’S fanfare about the baby box, it neglected to mention this vital piece of information.
“It’s obviously important for new parents to know that a key piece of equipment within the box may not give accurate readings.
“But, as ever with the SNP government, this has been glossed over and anyone who dares to question that is accused of talking Scotland down.”
Based on a project that was running in Finland, the Scottish Government launched the baby box initiative in 2017, at an estimated cost of £6m per year, after a pilot scheme.
Last month the government revealed there was now a 96% take-up rate of the baby box, with 45,558 delivered across Scotland in 2019.
The box, which can be used as a safe sleeping space itself, contains essential items such as clothes, a blanket, towels and nappies.
A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: “All decisions on Scotland’s baby box contents were agreed in discussions with health professionals, and medical experts stress there is no reason not to include digital ear thermometers.
“Like all types of equipment inaccurate readings may occur if used incorrectly, and we are reviewing baby box guidelines to emphasise the importance of reading all instructions before use.
“At its heart Scotland’s baby box strongly signals our determination that every child, regardless of their circumstances, should get the best start in life by ensuring that every family with a newborn has access to essential items.
“More than 123,000 expectant parents have taken the opportunity to receive a baby box since their launch in 2017 and the most recent parent survey showed 100% satisfaction with the box and all contents.”