Stone talks to Mordaunt about 'unfairness' of pregnant Caithness mums travelling hundreds of miles to give birth

Yesterday, the MP for Caithness, Sutherland, and Easter Ross, Jamie Stone, made a plea to the UK Government to designate Parliamentary time to discuss the state of maternity services in the Far North.

Responding, the Leader of the House of Commons, Penny Mordaunt, said that she was "sure that [the Health Secretary] will want to hear about the plight of [Mr Stone's] constituents".

Commenting, Mr Stone said yesterday: "I understand that health is devolved, but it is crucial that this does not stop Westminster politicians from talking about health inequalities across all four corners of the United Kingdom.

"Time and again, I have raised the iniquitous unfairness of pregnant mothers in Caithness having to make a 200-mile-plus round trip to give birth. Is it not time we had a debate, to explore these unfairnesses within our United Kingdom?

"The NHS as a whole is stronger when all branches talk to and learn from each other. That is why we need to be talking about rural healthcare in the House of Commons, and why I've asked the Government today for designated Parliamentary time.

Ms Mordaunt said: "Well, that sounds an incredibly bad situation and I know that the Honourable Gentleman, because I know he is a very dedicated constituency MP, will have raised this issue many times and have been working, no doubt, with healthcare in his area.

"I will make sure that the Department for Health has heard this particular case."

Mr Stone said: "Given Ms Mordaunt's answer to me today, I feel positive that we will achieve this soon."

Penny Mordaunt MP, Leader of the House of Commons

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