A CAMPAIGN backed by more than 25,000 people for a dedicated miscarriage unit in hospitals has made it to the Scottish Parliament.

Louise Caldwell began her petition to ensure a separate space for women going through pregnancy loss in hospitals is made available, including in Glasgow’s flagship Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, after suffering her own tragedy in 2019.

The mum-of-three discovered her unborn baby’s heart had stopped beating during a routine 12-week scan. Louise was then forced to deliver her child on the labour ward surrounded by happy families and healthy newborns – which she described as “adding salt to the wound”.

READ MORE: Mum's NHS miscarriage unit bid takes leap forward

Her plight was brought to the attention of MSPs in Holyrood yesterday following a speech made by Liberal Democrat Beatrice Wishart. The Shetland MSP said: “Official guidance says that separate facilities should be provided so, while there may be recognition, as Louise’s experience shows, that recognition does not always translate into reality.

“There needs to be a standard of care for perinatal loss equivalent to that provided to patients undergoing labour and delivery.

“Perinatal mental health, also, needs to be brought to the forefront of the plan. A 2018 report showed that only Glasgow, in the whole of Scotland, was meeting perinatal mental health requirements.”

Wishart went on to say the report found mothers in half of Scotland “couldn’t access” specialist services.

As previously reported, the SNP’s 2021 manifesto said it will “ensure maternity departments have dedicated facilities for women who are experiencing unexpected pregnancy complications”.

READ MORE: Mum pleads for NHS miscarriage unit

Caldwell said it was a “step in the right direction” but wanted to see the thoughts turned into actions, with 26,000 now supporting her petition for the dedicated space. She said: “Actions speak louder than words ... what are you going to do about it?”

Speaking previously, a Scottish Government spokesman said: “The loss of a baby, no matter what stage of pregnancy, is a significant and traumatic event that affects many women and their families throughout Scotland. It is vital that women, and their families, who have experienced a miscarriage are provided with the right information, care and support, taking into account their individual circumstances.

“This care and support should, where appropriate, include further investigation and counselling.

“We expect health boards to make every effort to provide high quality and sensitive care to parents following a loss and we continue to work with partners to see what more can be done to support parents.”

To sign the petition, visit here.