UN committee hears of ‘policy of centralisation’ affecting Caithness mothers and babies
Members of a United Nations committee have been told that mums-to-be from Caithness are being denied their rights through “a policy of centralisation, retrogression and reduction of services”.
The case for “fair, equitable, adequate and accessible healthcare” for mothers and babies from the far north was put to the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in Geneva, Switzerland, this week by Caithness Health Action Team.
CHAT 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.
The group’s vice-chairman Iain Gregory took part in Wednesday’s meeting in Geneva online.
The committee comprised representatives from many nations, all of whom were in possession of a copy of the original submission from CHAT.
Mr Gregory asked the committee: “Is it acceptable that women about to deliver their babies should, in a First World country, in the 21st century, be forced to travel well over 100 miles, in all weather conditions, at all hours of the day and night, in pain and distress, with risk and danger occasioned to them and to their unborn babies, because the authorities have pursued a policy of centralisation, retrogression and reduction of services?
“I submit that it cannot be, and we ask the committee to uphold our submission and to make the appropriate recommendations to the state to restore accessible maternity care – and other health services – to Caithness.”
Committee members will consider the case presented by CHAT and issue their findings in due course.
“We must hope that our case is upheld, and that the committee chooses to call upon the government to act,” Mr Gregory said. “Clearly, health is a devolved matter, but a recommendation to the UK government would be dealt with according to the appropriate mechanisms relating to such matters.”
He added: “Many thanks to Maria Aitken, CHAT secretary, who stepped in at very short notice to do a TV interview on behalf of CHAT whilst the committee was in session.”
CHAT sent its submission to the UN 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.
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.
Mr Gregory and Mrs 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.
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 says: “Citizens face disenfranchisement, and are unable to enjoy their basic human rights in relation to medical care.”
Commenting on the maternity issue month, 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.”
