NHS Lothian faces Scottish Government intervention after damning 'culture of mistrust' report on Edinburgh Royal Infirmary

NHS Lothian will face increased intervention from the Scottish Government, the health secretary has said, after a damning review found a “culture of mistrust” had led to patients being harmed at one of Scotland’s busiest maternity units.

The decision comes as the director of NHS Lothian apologised after a report from Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS) found “serious concerns” about staffing shortages for maternity care at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.

Health Secretary Neil Gray announced in the wake of the report the health board had been escalated to level three on the NHS support framework, meaning “significantly enhanced support” would now be provided. He said a Scottish Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce would be set up, to listen to “women’s experiences of maternity services”, as he said he was “deeply disappointed and concerned” by the HIS report.

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Source: The Scotsman, 29 October 2025