Cops face demand to probe hundreds of newborn deaths

POLICE are facing demands to investigate the deaths of hundreds of babies across Scotland.

- BY HANNAH RODGER Political Editor

The Sunday Mail has learned campaigners reported concerns about the number of newborns dying in maternity units and have called for urgent action.

But Police Scotland insists it has "noted" the concerns, but has so far refused to open a formal investigation.

It comes as forces in England are currently probing the deaths of hundreds of babies at the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital Trust after a review found catastrophic failings.

Scottish campaign group ASAP-NHS, led by former Crown prosecutor for the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) Roger Livermore, contacted Police Scotland in February over their concerns about baby death rates in Scotland.

Recent figures show about 500 babies have died since 2019, with health boards paying compensation in 131 cases of baby death or injury.

The total compensation bill in the last five years is more than £74million with about a third of that being paid out by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.