The death of a baby could have been prevented if an emergency ambulance had been made available to rush her to hospital when she took ill, a sheriff has ruled.

Nevaeh Stewart died three-and-a-half hours after she was born at Montrose Royal Infirmary's community midwifery unit in September 2012, despite the efforts of midwives based there and specialists who rushed from Dundee to her aid.

Her father Gary Stewart described the unit as an "emergency response blackspot" and accused NHS Tayside of "systemic failures" during a fatal accident inquiry being held at Forfar Sheriff Court.

A sheriff ruled that Nevaeh had "simply languished" at the midwifery unit receiving only "basic resuscitation" because NHS guidelines wouldn't allow a blue light ambulance to be sent to collect her.

The dedicated neonatal team that was allocated to cover Montrose at the time was on another job in Wick when she was born.

If Nevaeh had been a home birth and not born in the midwifery unit a blue light 999 ambulance would have been sent to pick her up.

The inquiry - which lasted 14 days and heard from 16 expert witnesses - heard Nevaeh was born in a birthing pool at the Angus facility, but was immediately found to be "pale and floppy".

An ambulance from Ninewells Hospital took almost two hours to arrive - leading to accusations the standard of care given was "contributory to her death".

Mr Stewart said: "I believe that if NHS Tayside told parents the truth about transfer times we would have made a different decision on obstetric care and we would have had timely access to specialist medical assistance if it was needed."

His wife, Kimberly Stewart added: "Had I been told in 2008 when I was pregnant with our second child that I'd have to wait an unlimited amount of time for specialist help if something went wrong with the birth, or after the birth, I think that's enough information - and as a mother-of-one, and for the baby, I wouldn't have risked it."

Sheriff Pino di Emidio agreed ruled "more precise and evidence based information about birth site choice" could help parents make a more informed choice.

And he added that "provision of a 999 ambulance for retrieval of babies born unexpectedly unwell" could also have saved Nevaeh.

Montrose Community Midwife Unit closed in June 2016 due to staff shortages.

Professor Andrew Russell, Medical Director at NHS Tayside said: "On behalf of NHS Tayside, I would wish to say that our thoughts remain with Nevaeh's parents and family.

"Sheriff Di Emidio has acknowledged in his determination that we have made a number of changes since 2012.

"This includes updating the guidance on the use of a 999 ambulance for the retrieval of babies born unexpectedly unwell in community maternity units."