HEALTH Secretary Shona Robison revealed that families who affected by adverse events at a maternity unit where six babies died would be involved in overseeing the implementation of a range of recommendations made in an indepedent review.

A government-commissioned report into the “unnecessary” deaths of the babies at Crosshouse Hospital in Ayrshire highlights concerns about staff shortages impacting on patient care and calls for improvements in training as well as better family engagement The Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS) review also criticises NHS Ayrshire and Arran for the way it has handled significant adverse events.

Robison said: “Earlier today I spoke to the vice chair of NHS Ayrshire and Arran and made clear that the sub-standard practices uncovered in these reports are unacceptable. NHS Ayrshire and Arran have apologised to families and I want to extend my personal and sincere apologies.

“The board has today published an action plan that outlines how they will take forward these recommendations. I welcome that and I will seek regular updates on implementation. I have offered to meet all of the families affected by these extremely sad cases. In recognition of the work they have done to raise awareness of these issues, I will also be offering them a role on a new stakeholder oversight group, along with representative organisations, that will be established to oversee these changes.

“HIS have confirmed that they will action the recommendation for them, and that they will monitor and support the progress towards the implementation of the board’s recommendations every three months in the first instance.

“Every case of stillbirth and neonatal death is a tragedy for all concerned, and it’s vital that we learn lessons from every one. However, it is important to note that the rate of stillbirth and neonatal death continues to fall and in 2015 we had a record low rate for Scotland.

“Following our review of maternity and neonatal services the Best Start report, published earlier this year, uncovered a range of evidence of good practice in Scotland. Implementation of the report’s 76 recommendations is underway and will deliver safer, higher quality maternity care for women and babies.”

Meanwhile, cancer charities have called for urgent progress on waiting-times as new figures reveal key targets have been missed again.

Macmillan Cancer Support said it was “disappointed” with the latest statistics while Cancer Research UK said they painted an “all too familiar picture”.

Only 88.1 per cent of patients with an urgent referral for a suspicion of cancer started treatment within 62 days between January and March, falling short of the Scottish Government’s target of 95 per cent.

The standard was met by only two health boards — NHS Dumfries and Galloway and NHS Lanarkshire. A separate target for 95 per cent of patients to wait no more than 31 days from decision to treat to first cancer treatment was almost met (94.9 per cent).

Janice Preston, head of Macmillan in Scotland, said: “We are disappointed that once again the cancer targets have been missed. The target has now been missed for over four years.

“Waiting for the results of tests or to start treatment can cause real distress to people with cancer and their families at a time when they are at their most vulnerable.”

Gregor McNie, Cancer Research UK’s senior public affairs manager in Scotland, said: “It’s clear some patients in Scotland are still waiting far too long for diagnosis and treatment, which is sadly an all too familiar picture.

“The repeated failure to meet cancer waiting-times targets is a clear indication the health service in Scotland isn’t coping with increased demand.”

Robison said:”It is reassuring to note the improved performance for the 31-day standard.” She has just announced £2.85 million to help reduce waiting times for cancer patients.