NHS Shetland has welcomed the publication of HIS's report following its unannounced Safe Delivery of Care inspection of maternity services at the Gilbert Bain Hospital in June 2026
The report identified nine areas of good practice within maternity services, and it recognised the commitment of staff to providing care for women and families across Shetland. NHS Shetland already has a range of improvement activity in place, including participation in national maternity improvement programmes, partnership working with Shetland Sands to support bereavement care, regular monitoring of maternity safety indicators and established governance arrangements to oversee quality, learning and service improvement.
The report also identified 11 requirements, which NHS Shetland has reviewed. An Improvement Action Plan has been developed, building on existing work and setting out actions to further strengthen services and meet the requirements. These include increasing compliance with trauma-informed practice and bereavement training for staff, developing a systematic approach for recording unscheduled maternity care and triage, strengthening oversight of staff training and incident management, ensuring clinical guidelines are reviewed and updated within agreed timescales, and supporting consistent evidence-based advice for women when making decisions about place of birth.
The inspection also highlighted opportunities to further strengthen documentation standards, workforce oversight, staffing escalation processes and business continuity arrangements. NHS Shetland has already commenced work in each of these areas, with clear timescales and governance arrangements in place to ensure delivery and ongoing monitoring.
A number of actions identified through the inspection have already been completed or are well advanced. These include ensuring dedicated communication equipment is available to support liaison with mainland health boards, establishing a short life working group to develop guidance for unscheduled care, introducing enhanced oversight of maternity incidents through clinical governance structures and continuing participation in the National Triage Implementation Programme.
Professor Kathleen Carolan, Director of Nursing and Acute Services for NHS Shetland said: “We welcome this report and the opportunity to continue strengthening our maternity services. The findings recognise the dedication and professionalism of our multi-professional Maternity Team in Shetland, and the high standards we have achieved in providing person-centred care for women, babies and families.
“We have a clear improvement plan in place, which builds on our existing strengths while addressing the areas identified by Healthcare Improvement Scotland. Many of the actions are already underway and we remain committed to continuous improvement and ensuring women and their families receive the highest quality care possible.”
Progress against the Improvement Action Plan will be monitored through NHS Shetland's maternity clinical governance arrangements and wider Board governance structures to ensure improvements are implemented and sustained.
Jacquie Whitaker, Chief Midwife, Women and Children's Health Lead and Deputy Director of Acute Services for NHS Shetland, said: “I would like to thank the Healthcare Improvement Scotland inspectors for the constructive and positive way in which the inspection was undertaken. While the report identifies 11 requirements, it also highlights nine areas of good practice of which we should be proud.
“Work is already underway to address the requirements, with clear oversight and accountability through our established governance arrangements.
“I would also like to thank the entire Maternity Team for their support during the unannounced inspection. The inspectors recognised the kind and responsive care the team provides, and this is something to be celebrated. My thanks also go to the members of the Maternity Voices Partnership and Shetland Sands for their valued contribution and continued partnership in helping us provide safe, effective care that meets the needs of women and families across Shetland.”
Brian Chittick, Chief Executive for NHS Shetland, thanked staff for their support, following the unannounced inspection: "My thanks to the Maternity Team for their support during the unannounced inspection visit earlier this year. Every day the team go above and beyond to make unique connections with the community and support the journeys of each and every family, playing an essential role in supporting women."
The report can be found at the following link: Gilbert Bain Hospital, NHS Shetland – maternity safe delivery of care inspection report: October 2026 – Healthcare Improvement Scotland