Healthcare Improvement Scotland will lead a review into higher-than-expected deaths among new-born babies in September 2021 and March 2022.

The Scottish government has commisioned a review of all perinatal deaths reported across Scotland between April 2021 and the end of March 2022.

This will investigate whether anything may have contributed to the increase, with any findings to then feed into recommendations and actions to improve the quality of care for both mothers and babies.

Public Health Scotland figures show the neonatal mortality rate in September 2021 and March 2022 was 4.9 and 4.6 per 1,000 live births respectively, both of which exceed the upper control limit of 4.4 per 1,000.

Each death will have been individually reviewed using the Perinatal Mortality Review Tool (PMRT), but the Scottish government, jointly with HIS, the Scottish Perinatal Network and Public Health Scotland, has undertaken further investigation to see if any factors beyond random variation contributed.

Initial findings from a national investigation into the higher neonatal mortality rate in September 2021, reported by Public Health Scotland, suggested that covid-19 infection of either the baby or mother did not play a role.

The HIS-led review announced today will not duplicate individual reviews or past investigations, according to the Scottish government.

A review team from the organisation will be formed and its work is expected to complete within six to nine months.

The Minister for Public Health, Women's Health and Sport, Maree Todd, committed to further investigation in May this year said:

“Every death is a tragedy for the families involved, that is why earlier this year I committed to this review to find out if there is a reason for the increase.

“I appreciate how difficult this time is for anyone affected and I would encourage them to access support if they wish to do so.  There is information about organisations and help available on the National Bereavement Care Pathways Scotland as well as the Scottish government website.”

Read more: "Fundamental gaps" in perinatal mental health care; Review of stillbirths after pandemic increases;

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