Implementing A Framework for Maternity ... - Scottish Government

Key Messages from the
Expert Group
1. Women must receive high quality care during childbirth. The care should be based on
the available evidence about effective practice and should be woman and babycentred.
A strong multi-professional team approach is vital for the delivery of a
clinically effective and seamless service.
2. The principles in A Framework for Maternity Services in Scotland are robust and are
based on best professional practice. All of the principles, including the tiered
framework of levels of care provision at the time of childbirth (intrapartum) and for
the new-born baby (neonate), should be fully implemented.
3. Maternity care professionals must work to promote the notion of pregnancy and
childbirth as being normal life events, but must also have the skills to recognise when
either the mother or baby is having problems.
4. One-to-one midwifery care should be the norm for all women during labour and
childbirth.
5. The present provision and shape of acute maternity services is no longer sustainable
in the light of changes in the number and locations of births in Scotland (demographic
changes), training and workforce pressures, and the need to ensure clinically safe and
cost-effective practice.
6. NHSScotland should provide services for childbirth as close to women’s homes as is
consistent with safe clinical care and informed maternal choice.
7. Local planning and commissioning of maternity services, in particular childbirth
(intrapartum) services, should take place within a regional context. This will help to
ensure that local services reflect regional and national priorities.
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