Newborn baby deaths in Scotland: FOI release
Information request and response under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002.
Information requested
The cause of death for each of the 21 neonatal deaths in September 2021 and a further 18 neonatal deaths in March 2022, in Scotland.
Response
The data you have asked for was reported by Public Health Scotland. Some of the information you have requested is available from the Public Health Scotland COVID-19 wider impacts dashboard COVID-19 wider impacts (shinyapps.io). It details the findings of an additional review undertaken following the higher than expected number of neonatal deaths in September 2021. Under section 25(1) of FOISA, we do not have to give you information which is already reasonably accessible to you. If, however, you do not have internet access to obtain this information from the website(s) listed, then please contact me again and I will send you a paper copy.
While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance we are unable to provide the information you have requested in relation to the 18 neonatal deaths recorded in Scotland in March 2022 because an exemption(s) under section(s) 36 (2) of FOISA applies to that information. The reasons why that exemption(s) applies are explained in the Annex to this letter.
You may also find it helpful to know that the stillbirth and infant mortality rates reported by Public Health Scotland have been generated using data from the statutory registration of deaths and births provided by National Records for Scotland (NRS).
About FOI
The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at http://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.
Contact
Please quote the FOI reference
Central Enquiry Unit
Email: ceu@gov.scot
Phone: 0300 244 4000
The Scottish Government
St Andrews House
Regent Road
Edinburgh
EH1 3DG
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