A baby loss charity is calling on Scottish election candidates to commit to reducing the number of babies who die before, during or shortly after birth.
Sands is urging candidates from all parties to sign a public pledge ahead of the Holyrood election. Those who sign will have their names added to a roll call on the charity’s website.
The charity says Scotland has made progress in recent years, but that improvements have been inconsistent.
Although stillbirth rates have fallen overall since 2010, much of that reduction happened before 2015, with progress varying over the past decade. Neonatal death rates have seen little improvement over the last 15 years.
Sands chief executive Clea Harmer said: “Saving babies’ lives must be a political priority for the next Scottish government. Setting targets can help to focus decision makers and influence policy decisions to help save babies’ lives, as well as ensure accountability.
“Too often, bereaved families still can’t access the care and support they need after baby loss. It simply isn’t fair that where someone lives should influence if they have access to high quality, compassionate bereavement care and mental health support.
“The next government must support Health Boards in Scotland to ensure every bereaved parent gets high quality bereavement care. And no matter where they live, bereaved families must be able to access psychological support.”
The charity said access to specialist mental health care after baby loss remains limited across Scotland.
Only 8% of bereaved parents told Sands they were able to access the mental health support they felt they needed through the NHS, with provision described as a “postcode lottery”.
Sands is calling on the next Scottish Government to review current services and identify barriers to accessing maternity and neonatal psychological support.
It also wants to ensure all health boards provide specialist support to bereaved families at a time and place that suits them.
In 2024, more than 250 babies died before, during or shortly after birth in Scotland, according to National Records Scotland.
Sands provides support through a helpline, email services, online groups and a network of local support groups across the country.