Meeting of the Parliament 02 November 2023
That is a fair question from Mr Whitfield. We are gathering information so that we can understand the different requirements. We have a really strong process that we are working through to gain information from people who have been lucky enough to receive the box and to think about how things can change.
We know that things are hard for a lot of parents and that they need support. This week, a Queen’s Nursing Institute nurse told me how she can see the positive impacts on babies and their families when a wee bit of extra support can be given. We have delivered the internationally recognised family nurse partnership programme across Scotland for more than 12,000 young parents. That makes a real difference for them and their babies. Our best start maternity and neonatal programme, with the introduction of our neonatal transition care, keeps mothers and babies together, which is crucial for bonding and attachment.
I was very fortunate to open the best start learning event in the summer. Midwives and maternity teams from our health boards came together to learn from one another and recognise the success of continuity of carer in improving outcomes for women and their babies.
The introduction of our young patients family fund provides essential financial support for meals, travel and accommodation, and it supports families to stay with their babies and children when they are in hospital.