SCOTTISH Labour have called for a national investigation into the condition of maternity and neonatal services after a series of “alarming” inspection reports.

The party made the call in a Holyrood debate just days after inspectors at Health Improvement Scotland raised “serious concerns” over services at the Royal Infirmary Edinburgh, warning of a poor culture, “suboptimal skill mix” and understaffing.

The inspection followed another in Dundee’s Ninewells Hospital, also raising safety concerns linked to understaffing, and reports that some mothers from Stranraer and Caithness had to travel more than 100 miles to give birth.

Tabling a motion for a national investigation, Scottish Labour health spokeswoman Jackie Baillie said: “The heartbreaking truth is too many women and babies are being let down by dangerously overstretched maternity and neonatal services.

“Families the length and breadth of Scotland are being failed.

“Staff are working tirelessly to do right by patients, but they are being asked to do the impossible.

“Today, MSPs of all parties have a chance to listen to the mums, dads, doctors and experts and agree to a national investigation into these crucial services.”

Thanking affected families for their  “bravery in speaking up,” SNP Health Secretary Neil Gray rejected the call, telling MSPs: “We do already have a series of local inspections of every maternity unit in Scotland under way.”

“I think it is right that those inspections should continue at pace so that we can make immediate improvements, rather than initiating a review.”

Leaving the door open for the future, he added: “The government is not shutting down the prospect of a review, but the process already under way should conclude in that first instance.

“I’ll remain open and willing to listen to the views of members on what more can be done.”