To ask the Scottish Government whether it will proceed with its reported plans to downgrade the neonatal intensive care unit at University hospital Wishaw. (S6O-03599)

The decision to move to three neonatal intensive care units has been made on the basis of clinical evidence that tells us that that change will improve outcomes for the very smallest and sickest babies. As I agreed to do when I met Monica Lennon and Wishaw constituents in November, I have considered again the data and evidence in relation to the proposals and have taken additional advice from clinical advisers who were not part of the best start process for identifying the location of the units, and I am reassured about the validity of the evidence base, the process and the conclusions that were reached.

The Scottish Government-commissioned independent modelling report was published on 29 May. Following consideration of that report, we have asked the regional chief executives to progress with the development of implementation plans.

The Scottish Government is now consulting families on implementation of the proposals, so that we can take account of their concerns when the pathways and processes for the new model of care are designed. An online survey is being developed, and that will be followed by the use of targeted focus groups, to help us to listen to the concerns of parents in Scotland and to inform implementation plans.

The minister will know that almost 23,000 people have signed a petition that urges the Scottish Government to stop the downgrading of Lanarkshire’s neonatal intensive care unit. It is important that my constituents believe that their voices are being heard.

The Scottish Government says that parents are key partners in the care of their babies and that we should do everything possible to keep mothers and babies together. That said, how can the Scottish Government continue with the devastating downgrading plans, when ignoring the pleas to save the Wishaw neonatal intensive care unit would force families to be apart at a vulnerable and critical time?

The new model of care is firmly based on clinical evidence, as recommended by a group of neonatal experts. To ensure that babies and parents remain close, we have the young patients family fund, which will support people. The hospitals that will host the intensive neonatal care units will have suitable accommodation alongside the units, to ensure that that important bonding happens. That is all part of the plans that we are asking the national health service health boards to work through to ensure that we achieve the best results.

It is welcome that the local neonatal units will continue to offer care for the vast majority of babies, including a level of neonatal intensive care. For clarity, will the minister reaffirm that the plans are about ensuring that, with pre-emptive planning, the smallest babies are born where they can readily access the specialist care and services that they might need, including neonatal surgery, which is not currently available at Wishaw, and that that is in line with expert clinicians’ advice?

I reaffirm that the new model of care is recommended by a group of neonatal experts and is firmly based on clinical advice, which shows that the most preterm and sickest babies do best when they are cared for in larger, specialist neonatal units, which look after a lot of those babies and have specialist staff and services available on site to give them the very best care. We are doing that to give babies who are born at the extremes of prematurity the best chance of survival. I believe that that is what every parent wants for their baby.

Martin Whitfield has a brief supplementary question.

Will the minister confirm whether the clinical analysis and advice that she was given is about what is right for the baby, the baby and the mother, or the family?

The advice that I have received is from experts on looking after babies in a neonatal care situation. That advice has always looked at the baby in the round, and that is why we continue to ensure that I get the right advice from the right groups of people to move the work forward.