Maternity model is a 'formula for tragedy' say Caithness health campaigners
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Campaigners are getting frustrated over a lack of progress on their calls for more Caithness babies to be born at the Wick maternity unit.
They say the current situation “adds up to a formula for tragedy” as fewer than 10 per cent of newborns from the county are born in the far north, with most mums-to-be having to travel to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness to give birth.
The issue came to the forefront once again as Storm Babet caused a number of floods and road closures across the Highlands.
It spurred Caithness Health Action Team (CHAT) to write to the First Minister, Humza Yousaf, calling for “island status” because the county can be totally cut off in serious weather when roads are closed.
The group wants to see a model similar to neighbouring Orkney, where around 80 per cent of local babies are born on the islands, while those with specialist needs are sent to Aberdeen.
Ron Gunn, CHAT chairman and Highland councillor for Thurso and Northwest Caithness, said it was “obviously still a worry for the community that so many have to travel down to Inverness”.
He added: “We said many years ago there’s only two roads into the county and if the main A9 gets blocked it’s a long way round. So if the road gets blocked we are virtually an island then – we can’t get anything in and out.
“And with the problems with the weather you’re limited to how you could possibly move an expectant mother – it’s not ideal [conditions] for the helicopter either.”
The letter, addressed to Mr Yousaf, states: “Storm Babet is currently raging, and our main arterial road to Raigmore has been blocked on numerous occasions because of the weather and accidents. These road blocks are very regular and we are often landlocked, like an island.
“Winter conditions are on the horizon with the possibilities that snow gates are closed. Air ambulance assistance is often not available to labouring women or to other patients due to fog or weather conditions.
“Can you imagine the fear and terror that heavily pregnant mums experience having to face this journey while in labour? These poor mums have no choice due to this centralised maternity model which dictates that the majority of our mums have to travel to Raigmore over 100 miles away, on this very dangerous arterial road.”
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “Safe maternity care as close to home as practicable is vital. The Scottish Government recognises the concerns that extreme weather events like Storm Babet can bring, and the wider challenges facing remote and rural health boards.
“We are providing £5 million of capital investment to upgrade maternity services in Raigmore, and work is ongoing to ensure services are developed in a flexible and sustainable way recognising local population needs and geographic challenges.
“NHS Highland is working closely with local people and campaign groups including the Caithness Health Action Team, to develop safe and sustainable services that best meet the needs of local people, including maternity services.
“The Scottish Government will respond to the letter in due course.”
The full text of the letter reads:
Dear First Minister,
Storm Babet is currently raging, and our main arterial road to Raigmore has been blocked on numerous occasions because of the weather and accidents. These road blocks are very regular and we are often landlocked, like an island. Only last month our main road was blocked for several hours due to a very serious accident. Winter conditions are on the horizon with the possibilities that snow gates are closed. Air ambulance assistance is often not available to labouring women or to other patients due to fog or weather conditions. There are many areas of this route that have no phone signals, so a call for help cannot be made. NHS Highland announce weather warnings to patients having to travel; but nothing about the risks for anxious, labouring mums.
This dangerous journey is most often undertaken in a private car with a partner or family friend driving or on unreliable public transport for over four hours. Can you imagine the fear and terror that heavily pregnant mums experience having to face this journey while in labour? These poor mums have no choice due to this centralised maternity model which dictates that the majority of our mums have to travel to Raigmore over 100 miles away, on this very dangerous arterial road.
Yet again, our Caithness communities hold their breadth in extreme anxiety, worried about our people who have no choice but to endure the risks of travel to Raigmore in order to attend the very many now centralised appointments; vulnerable pregnant mums journeying to Raigmore to give birth, or new born babies travelling home to Caithness and having to be released from car seats every hour due to the risks of restricted breathing.
This all adds up to a formula for tragedy under the watch of a Scottish government who have promised a Best Start for all mothers, children and families no matter where they live in Scotland. Mr Yousaf at a recent meeting with us, you stated that the 20 minute drive home with your wife and new born baby was too long, can you imagine the 3+ hour journey, in the dark, in a storm?
A maternity model that is similar to the Orkney maternity model, would allow the majority of our mothers to be able to give birth in Caithness, with only a minority having to endure the journey to Raigmore.
Yours Sincerely,
Caithness Health Action Team
