The NHS is addressing infant morality rates

Sir, – Following The Courier story (“Dundee has highest stillbirth rates in Scotland”, November 30), I want to reassure readers that the safety of mothers and their babies is of paramount importance to everyone working in the NHS.

The death of any baby leaves a heartbroken family suffering in pain and we are doing everything possible to reduce the risk of this happening.

Our world leading Patient Safety Programme is designed to help each health board continually improve safety in their maternity and neonatal services

The Scottish stillbirth rate has reduced by 19% in the last 10 years, which represents good progress by the hardworking staff in maternity units.

However, stillbirth and neonatal death rates do fluctuate across NHS boards and if NHS care falls short of expected standards, it is absolutely vital that lessons are learned and appropriate improvements made. Where necessary, Healthcare Improvement Scotland can be asked to investigate and provide an improvement plan.

In addition, a new Perinatal Mortality Review Tool is being developed for use by all Boards in Scotland and will support systematic reviews of the circumstances and care leading up to and surrounding each stillbirth and neonatal death.

This will help boards learn lessons and give parents the answers they want, as quickly as possible.

Catherine Calderwood. Chief Medical Officer for Scotland.

A Perinatal Mortality Review Tool is being developed for use by the NHS.