Caithness birthrate remains static as MSP raises ‘serious concerns’ over maternity model
Rhoda Grant has raised serious concerns over the birthrate at Caithness General Hospital after figures showed that there had been little change in the number of babies born locally.
The Highlands and Islands Labour MSP discovered through a Freedom of Information request to NHS Highland that only 15 women gave birth at the community midwife-led unit in Wick in 2024.
A total of 215 women from Caithness gave birth at Raigmore Hospital in Inverness during the year, with fewer than five giving birth elsewhere. There were no homebirths in the region in that time.
This compares to 2023 figures which show that 12 women gave birth in Wick while 192 gave birth in Raigmore.
The consultant-led maternity unit at Caithness General Hospital was downgraded in 2016 to a midwife-led facility and the vast majority of local women now give birth in Inverness.
Ms Grant said she continues to campaign for full maternity services to be reinstated in Caithness and campaigns for the route from Caithness General to Raigmore Hospital to be risk assessed.
This is because women – and their partners – can often be expected to drive over 100 miles to gain the most suitable healthcare.
Other campaigners, including Caithness Health Action Team, have called for a maternity model similar to Orkney, where around 80 per cent of babies are born locally. This involves a midwife-led unit supported by consultants.
Ms Grant said: “This continues to be a serious concern that I will continue to raise with NHS Highland and in the Scottish Parliament Chamber. Caithness women should have the right to give birth as close to home as possible when possible.
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“The SNP government should look at all options available to make that happen safely. However, they continue to ignore the issue. It is little wonder women tell me that they have chosen to not have children because they are fearful of that journey.
“It is about time the Scottish Government showed leadership and addressed this issue.”
The figures show that of the 215 births at Raigmore, 92 were described as “normal spontaneous births”, as were all 15 of the births at Caithness General.
The number of Caithness women who had maternal transfers by road ambulance was 24, with 115 using their own transport. Fewer than five went by air ambulance and six used a taxi.
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “NHS Highland took the decision to move to a midwife-led unit at Caithness General Hospital based on patient safety. This means that women can choose to give birth with the support of a midwife, either at home or in the midwife-led unit.
“However, if there are any risks to mother or baby, they are advised to give birth at Raigmore’s consultant-led unit which has access to specialist care.
“To minimise the need for women to travel, NHS Highland provides weekly obstetric-run antenatal clinics and scanning services in Caithness. NHS Highland also helps with travel and accommodation costs for those who need to travel for care.”
