Scottish Public Health and Women’s Health Minister Jenni Minto has announced a groundbreaking framework aimed at revolutionising miscarriage care in Scotland.
Backed by £1.5 million in funding, this initiative is set to ensure equitable, compassionate, and comprehensive care for women experiencing miscarriage.
The newly unveiled framework outlines a series of actions for NHS boards across Scotland to implement, with a focus on providing private, dedicated spaces for women undergoing miscarriage. This initiative aims to eliminate the distress of being in a maternity ward during such a sensitive time.
One of the most significant aspects of the framework is the introduction of a graded model of miscarriage care. This model ensures that women receive tailored support and services from their first miscarriage, rather than having to endure multiple losses before accessing specialised care.
The graded approach includes:
- Initial Support: Women will be seen by a healthcare professional after their first miscarriage, screened for mental health, and provided with guidance to reduce the risk of future miscarriages.
- Enhanced Care: After a second miscarriage, women will have access to nurse or midwife-led clinics in Early Pregnancy Units, with further tests and early reassurance scans in subsequent pregnancies.
- Specialist Intervention: Following a third miscarriage, women will be referred to consultant-led clinics for advanced tests and treatments.
The framework also includes access to progesterone prescriptions for women experiencing threatened or recurrent miscarriages, where clinically appropriate. This addition is based on evidence suggesting that progesterone can help sustain pregnancies in certain cases.
Commenting on the new framework, Minto said:
“The loss of a baby, no matter at what stage of pregnancy, has a profound and lasting impact on women and their families. To all who have experienced such a tragedy, I offer my deepest sympathy. The Scottish Government recognises this impact and is clear that women and families who have experienced pregnancy or baby loss must be provided with the right information, care and support, tailored to their individual circumstances.
“I am very grateful to everyone in Scotland’s NHS who works to provide miscarriage care and support.
“I know there is already a lot of good work underway within NHS Boards to improve miscarriage care services. The 2025-26 Budget, if approved by Parliament, will provide £1.5 million to support NHS Boards to improve delivery of sensitive and compassionate miscarriage care.”
The Scottish Government has allocated £1.5 million to support the implementation of these changes. This funding will ensure that early pregnancy care is equitable, so no woman is disadvantaged regardless of where she accesses care. Minister Jenni Minto emphasised the profound impact of miscarriage on women and their families, expressing her commitment to providing the right information, care, and support tailored to individual circumstances.
This framework represents a significant milestone in improving miscarriage care in Scotland. Leading pregnancy charities, including Tommy’s and the Miscarriage Association, have praised the initiative as a crucial step towards ensuring that all women receive the compassionate, high-quality care they deserve during such a heart-breaking time.
With the framework set to be rolled out across Scotland, women can look forward to a more supportive and understanding approach to miscarriage care, ensuring that no one has to face this difficult experience alone.
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