Meeting of the Parliament 11 June 2026 [Last updated 19:16]
We must reassure women, especially those who are currently expecting a baby, that they should be confident in accessing care and that—in recognition that that is a special time but that it can be worrying—if things do not operate as planned, there will be absolute transparency around that. With that in mind, we always want to encourage women to access the care that they need.
In my statement, I intimated that I quickly met the chief executive of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and, separately, Healthcare Improvement Scotland. That was my way to cross-check what the chief executive had relayed thoroughly to me about the progress that was being made with the published action plan, the additional investment in midwives and the work that was being done to engage with the workforce, address issues of culture and address access to interpretation services. I specifically raised access to interpretation with the chief executive, because I can imagine that, if English is not your first language, it must be frightening to be unable to communicate your needs. Being able to communicate your needs and have them be understood is fundamental to care.
I also took the opportunity to engage with Healthcare Improvement Scotland, which confirmed the proactive leadership and ownership by the chief executive and the board.
I assure Clare Haughey, so that she can reassure her constituents, that I and other ministers will follow through on that with further meetings. A range of options are available to us if the current progress does not continue.