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CHAT case for ‘fair and equitable healthcare’ to be put to UN committee next week





The consultant-led maternity unit at Caithness General Hospital was downgraded in 2016 and the vast majority of local women now give birth in Inverness. Picture: Alan Hendry
The consultant-led maternity unit at Caithness General Hospital was downgraded in 2016 and the vast majority of local women now give birth in Inverness. Picture: Alan Hendry

The case for “fair, equitable, adequate and accessible healthcare” for Caithness mothers and babies will be presented to members of a United Nations committee next week.

It represents the opening of a new frontier in the campaign by Caithness Health Action Team (CHAT) for better access to services for mums-to-be from the far north who have to go to Inverness to give birth.

The group argues that many other patients are also “denied their rights to accessible and adequate facilities” by being asked to travel long distances for appointments and treatment.

CHAT sent a detailed submission to the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in Geneva, Switzerland, in December after a major report by the Scottish Human Rights Commission (SHRC) found that mothers in Caithness and Sutherland felt “unsafe” and “terrified” about going to Raigmore to have their babies.

CHAT vice-chairman Iain Gregory and secretary Maria Aitken met with the author of the SHRC report, Dr Luis F Yanes. Dr Yanes advised them that they could present a submission to the UN committee and he provided guidance on the procedure.

Mr Gregory registered CHAT with the UN as a non-governmental organisation, sent a submission, and was invited to brief the committee either via video link or in person. He opted to address the committee by video link and will be doing so on Wednesday, February 12.

CHAT secretary Maria Aitken and vice-chairman Iain Gregory outside Caithness General Hospital. Picture: Alan Hendry
CHAT secretary Maria Aitken and vice-chairman Iain Gregory outside Caithness General Hospital. Picture: Alan Hendry

The committee has representatives from 18 countries from across the world. Each member will have a copy of the CHAT submission and Mr Gregory will be providing further verbal evidence, “emphasising our position in relation to the human rights issues affecting Caithness women, babies and indeed other patients”.

Committee members will be able to ask questions. They will discuss the report before issuing their findings and any recommendations.

Mr Gregory said: “Caithness Health Action Team is made up of volunteers drawn from across the county.

“They have, for many years, campaigned tirelessly for the rights of local mothers and babies. They have fought a battle for recognition, and they have faced many obstacles in the process.

“Now, to the undoubted surprise of the authorities, we are taking the case to Geneva – not a development, I suspect, which might have been anticipated.

“I intend to address the committee on behalf of CHAT, on behalf of the hundreds of mothers and babies who have been affected, and on behalf of people across Caithness, and I will do so honestly, strongly and simply.

“I can do no more, and we must hope that – at long last – the human rights of our families, friends and neighbours will be recognised and upheld.”

CHAT’s submission states that healthcare access for people living in Caithness “has been substantially curtailed over recent years… with maternity care suffering particularly badly”. It declares: “Citizens face disenfranchisement, and are unable to enjoy their basic human rights in relation to medical care.”

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.

Commenting on the maternity issue last week, 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.”


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