Edward Mountain calls for full restoration of maternity services in Caithness

Highlands and Islands MSP, Edward Mountain has called out the SNP Government for "failing expectant mums" in Moray and Caithness by downgrading maternity services.

Edward Mountain MSP attacked the SNP Government’s record during a Members’ Debate, secured by Scottish Conservative party leader Douglas Ross, which welcomed the Keep MUM’s campaigning efforts and called for an urgent resolution to the downgrading of maternity services at Dr Gray’s Hospital in July 2018.

During the debate Edward Mountain highlighted the unacceptable difficulties also faced by expectant mums in Caithness, who continue to face the prospect of 100 mile journey to Inverness to give birth.

In 2020, ninety per cent of expectant Caithness mums gave birth at Raigmore Hospital. Only 15 births in the far north took place at Caithness General Hospital in the same year.

In his speech, Edward Mountain said: “Centralising more and more services in Inverness and Aberdeen is not what our Highland communities want. What families in Caithness and Moray need is a Government which protects our local maternity services.

“It’s time to fully restore these services so that mothers can give birth locally.”

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