Ministers snub baby deaths spike debate

MSPs denied getting their say over 30% rise during pandemic

- KATRINE BUSSEY

MINISTERS are facing calls for "proper scrutiny" into a rise in baby deaths in Scotland after a parly debate was snubbed.

The Scottish Government ordered a Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS) review after it was found there was a higher than expected number of deaths involving newborns in both September 2021 and March 2022.

Jenni Minto, the minister for public health and women's health, insisted the government had "accepted the report findings and recommendations" and was "working on the next steps" but ruled out a debate in Holyrood.

However, Scottish Lib Dem leader Alex Cole-Hamilton insisted the government should also schedule time for the issue to be debated in Holyrood.