Damning report finds 'culture of mistrust' at maternity unit

Staffing shortages and a "culture of mistrust" led to delays and patients being harmed at one of the busiest maternity units in the UK, a review has found.

An inspection of maternity care at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh said some women waiting for labour to be induced had experienced delays of more than 24 hours.

It also said staff were reluctant to submit safety reports and had raised concerns about being overwhelmed and unsupported.

The damning findings echo those of NHS Lothian's own review into the troubled maternity unit last year - but the health board insisted it was making progress in improving and investing in its women's services.

The review of Edinburgh's maternity unit follows a BBC Disclosure investigation which heard calls for urgent action to improve maternity safety across Scotland.

The investigation heard from a number of families who had experienced poor and sometimes deadly care.

It concluded that mothers and newborn babies had come to harm because of staffing shortages and a "toxic" workplace culture.

Health Secretary Neil Gray said the Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS) report was "deeply, deeply concerning".

Gray, who said he had experienced loss in his own family, told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland he had directed NHS Lothian to deliver its recommendations "immediately".

Read full story

Source: BBC News, 29 October 2025