An investigation has been launched into the “potentially avoidable” death of a newborn baby at a Highland hospital.
The infant died in the maternity unit at Caithness General Hospital.
A post-mortem is yet to be concluded but it is believed that the newborn, who has not been identified, died as a result of a severe infection.
A full review of the case is now under way to examine any implications for the unit, but in the interim NHS Highland has taken steps to lower the threshold for parents and babies to be transferred to more advanced paediatric facilities at Raigmore Hospital in Inverness.
Few details have been made public about the tragic case but NHS Highland said a mother presenting in similar circumstances at other community midwifery units across the north would have been transferred to Raigmore.
However, she was kept at Caithness because of the presence of consultants.
Rod Harvey, medical director for NHS Highland, said initial investigations found that the death was not caused by a failure of care by members of staff.
But he said the death could “potentially” have been avoided with “different arrangements” in place.
Mr Harvey said: “This is a very tragic case and our thoughts and condolences are with the family.
“Regrettably, our preliminary investigations have determined that this death was potentially avoidable had different arrangements been in place to ensure more timely and immediate access to advanced paediatric support facilities at Raigmore Hospital.
“Having considered the events leading up to the death and in order to ensure that as far as is possible these circumstances do not happen again, the clinical team have made a number of recommendations that have already been put in place.”
Caithness General has previously been classed as a consultant-led maternity unit, staffed by midwives and three consultant obstetricians. It has no neonatal intensive care unit.
The infant died about three weeks ago
Highlands and Islands MSP Rhoda Grant said: “I think, until they get to the bottom of what happened, then NHS Highland need to err on the side of caution with their services, so I would support the measures they have put in place.
“You can’t imagine what the family are having to go through and obviously you want to make sure that nobody else has to go through the same thing.”