Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce
Overview
This taskforce was created in January 2026 to promote continuous, evidence-informed improvement in maternity care, pregnancy and birth outcomes.
It is chaired by the Minister for Public Health and Women’s Health. Ann Gow and Professor Anna Glasier have been appointed as Vice Chairs of the taskforce.
It will report to the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care.
Members
Professor Aisha Holloway, Chief Nursing Officer
Lynne Nicol, Deputy Director - Healthcare Quality and Improvement
Gillian Russell, Director of Health Workforce
Iona Duckett, Chief Midwifery Officer representative
Dr Antony Nicoll, Senior Medical Officer/representative of Chief Medical Officer
Christine McLaughlin, COO and Deputy Chief Executive, NHS Scotland
Dr Aileen Cope, Chair of Obstetric Clinical Directors
Dr Shetty Bhushan, Chair of Scottish Neonatal Consultants Group
Kate Boyle, Chair of Scottish Neonatal Nurses Group
Dr Sara Else, Medical Director Representative
Dr Mary Ross-Davie, Chair Directors of Midwifery Group
Sarah Horan, Executive Nurse Directors representative
Caroline Hiscox, Chair of Board Chief Executive Group
Amie Maclean, Board Clinical Service Manager
Professor Colin Duncan, Chair of Scottish Early Pregnancy Network
Susan Buchanan, Scottish Perinatal Network Representative
Karen Titchener, Patient Safety Commissioner
Melissa Dowdeswell, Healthcare Improvement Scotland representative
Dr Paul Mills, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists – Co-Chair
Dr Evelyn Ferguson, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists – Co-Chair
Jaki Lambert, Royal College of Midwives - Director
Dr Linda Dubiel, Representative of Obstetric Anaesthetists
Dr Lynsey Still, British Association of Perinatal Medicine (BAPM) Scotland Representative
Emma Currer, Partnership Rep - RCM
Stuart Falconer, Partnership Rep - RCN
Caroline Lee-Davey, Bliss Chief Executive
Dr Clea Harmer, Sands Chief Executive
Professor Helen Cheyne, Higher Education Institution representative