The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) has said there is no time to waste, following the Scottish Government’s announcement of a new national review into maternity care.

The RCM has previously expressed concern that reviews and investigations risk halting progress and improvement. The College said any such review must lead to urgent action as any further delay could risk the quality and safety of care for women, families and staff.

Jaki Lambert, RCM Scotland Director, said:

“Women, their families and maternity staff in Scotland quite rightly want to see action to fix maternity services but this review must not become a reason for yet more delay. Maternity services need investment and support now, not months or years from now. What’s required today is delivery. Another set of recommendations will almost certainly reflect those that have already been published, but haven’t been implemented.

“We remain concerned that the inspections that will inform the scope are limited to acute care.  Maternity care doesn’t just take place in hospitals and the review must reflect that.”

The RCM have said that years of underinvestment, persistent workforce shortages and the loss of specialist and educator roles have left services increasingly fragile and overstretched.

In 2023, the RCM produced a five-year plan for Scotland setting out clear priorities around safety, culture, career structure and leadership. The Ministerial Nursing and Midwifery Taskforce has since incorporated many of the same recommendations

Jaki added: “The Government already has the evidence it needs. It knows the scale of the challenge and the solutions that will make the biggest difference. What is missing is the urgency to act. Without clear timelines, investment and accountability this review risks becoming yet another report rather than a turning point. Women, families and midwives deserve far better.”