Further to the Cabinet Secretary's announcement in June 2026 that an Independent Review of Maternity Services would commence in September 2…

I am pleased to confirm the Independent Review of Maternity Services is now underway. Professor Christine McCourt has published the review methodology on a dedicated website and has begun establishing two advisory groups who will provide support to her during the review.The review will take nine months to complete. Once it concludes, Professor McCourt will submit her report and recommendations to Scottish Ministers one month later, in July 2027. Once the report is received, I will give careful consideration to Professor McCourt’s findings and recommendations and set out my response. I intend to update Parliament as soon as possible given the significant interest in improving maternity services across the Chamber.This review represents an important opportunity to ensure that women, babies and families receive the highest quality maternity care possible.This review is system-wide, and I will work with partners across the maternity system to take forward the changes identified.In the meantime, Healthcare Improvement Scotland continue to conduct their unannounced inspections of all 18 of Scotland’s acute maternity units. I am clear that learnings from these inspections must inform ongoing improvement across our NHS and I will of course continue to engage with Members directly on any specific local issues identified.