Committee
Health, Social Care and Sport Committee 14 December 2021
14 Dec 2021 · S6 · Health, Social Care and Sport Committee
Item of business
Perinatal Mental Health
Cat Berry, who was one of the witnesses at last week’s meeting, suggested that the timescales for implementation of the specialist baby loss units can and should be shortened. Do you think that that is possible, Ms Todd?
In the same item of business
The Convener
SNP
Our second item today is an evidence session with the Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing and the Minister for Public Health, Women’s Health and Sport, ...
The Minister for Mental Wellbeing and Social Care (Kevin Stewart)
SNP
Would it be appropriate to make some opening remarks before answering your question, convener?
The Convener
SNP
That is fine. I am sorry—I did not realise that you had opening remarks to make. Carry on.
Kevin Stewart
SNP
Thank you, convener. I welcome the opportunity for my colleague Maree Todd, Hugh Masters and I to assist the committee with the inquiry into perinatal menta...
The Convener
SNP
We have spoken to parents, and something that has come up in those conversations—and which you alluded to—is inconsistency around the country. You have just ...
Kevin Stewart
SNP
Your question covers a number of issues. When I came into post and started looking at the matter—I looked at it as a constituency member, too—I saw quite cle...
The Convener
SNP
I see that Hugh Masters wants to add to what you have said, minister.
Hugh Masters (Scottish Government)
Perhaps I can make a few comments about the work of the programme board. It is absolutely right to say that one of the key drivers—this came from the matern...
The Convener
SNP
Thank you. I will hand over to my colleagues, who will get into the detail. I suggest that some questions will be more appropriate for Maree Todd, so they sh...
Sue Webber (Lothian) (Con)
Con
I suppose that the witnesses—Inaudible.—very upsetting—Inaudible.—many of us. We heard of quite varying—Inaudible.—in terms of how the services are set up fo...
The Convener
SNP
Your sound was a little bit patchy, but I imagine that the question, which is about consistency of approach across the country for families and parents who h...
The Minister for Public Health, Women’s Health and Sport (Maree Todd)
SNP
Thank you. I apologise—Sue Webber’s sound was a little glitchy at my end. The first thing to say is that the Scottish Government recognises the impact of ba...
Sue Webber
Con
Is the sound better now?
The Convener
SNP
It is a lot better.
Sue Webber
Con
Cat Berry, who was one of the witnesses at last week’s meeting, suggested that the timescales for implementation of the specialist baby loss units can and sh...
Maree Todd
SNP
I recognise the urgency of working on that and that, for every individual who is affected by baby loss it is an absolute trauma. We want to get it right for ...
Sue Webber
Con
You spoke a lot about women there, but there are also fathers to consider. Another message that has come out in the evidence is that it should be ensured tha...
Maree Todd
SNP
You are absolutely right to highlight that baby loss impacts not just the mum but the father. I said clearly that we talk about family-centred care, so I inc...
Sue Webber
Con
That is great—thanks.
The Convener
SNP
We will move on to the theme of care pathways. Paul O’Kane has questions on that.
Paul O’Kane (West Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
Last week, we heard a lot of important evidence and, as Sue Webber said, it was quite emotional at points. We heard about the planned development of speciali...
Maree Todd
SNP
I will bring in Kirstie Campbell to give you the most up-to-date picture of delivery across the country. Kirstie, can you give information on where we are at...
Kirstie Campbell (Scottish Government)
I am happy to do that. The minister has outlined the work that we are doing on the national bereavement care pathway to support women who have experienced a...
Paul O’Kane
Lab
If the minister could write to the committee with the specific percentages that I asked for, that would be helpful, just so that we can have that empirical d...
Maree Todd
SNP
The best start approach equips midwives with the skills to care for women with socially complex needs and their babies. The midwives have reduced case loads,...
Kevin Stewart
SNP
The perinatal mental health clinical network has set out a series of five national pathways, which cover pre-conception advice, psychological support for mil...
The Convener
SNP
Thank you. Does Paul O’Kane have another question?
Paul O’Kane
Lab
No, convener—that was most helpful.
The Convener
SNP
We will move on to Stephanie Callaghan, who has questions on access to services.
Stephanie Callaghan (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP)
SNP
I thank the panel members for being here. It was reassuring to hear the cabinet secretary set out such a clear commitment and focus on taking women’s lived e...