Liberal Democrat MP Jamie Stone says the Scottish Government 'seriously expects' expectant mothers to travel 100 miles from the far north to give birth in Inverness as snow falls across the Highlands
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MP Jamie Stone has used the snow falling across the Highlands today to illustrate the dangers and problems faced by expectant mothers travelling from the north to Raigmore to give birth.
Standing at the side of the road in poor conditions, Mr Stone hit out at the lack of action on restoring full maternity services to Caithness – something all the harder to swallow after this happened in Moray.
The veteran Liberal Democrat MP seemed to point to a lack of understanding of conditions and geography in the far north, noting that quite heavy snow is falling on April 5 while the journey to Inverness is more than 100 miles.
He called for an inquiry into the status quo, something the Scottish Government has not agreed to despite strong local feelings and determined campaigning by the Caithness Health Action Team (CHAT).
“I am on my way to Caithness for a clinic. Behind me is the Ord of Caithness, where the road blocks in winter. But this is April 5,” he said.
“The Scottish Government seriously expects pregnant mothers to travel 100 miles down this road to give birth in Inverness. That’s no good at all.
“In Moray, they agreed to an inquiry and following that inquiry the Scottish Government agreed to restore proper, consultant-led services in Elgin, in Moray.
“Well, what’s good for Moray is good for the far north of Scotland. They should agree to do exactly the same up here because what we’re getting right now is simply not good enough.”
Related Story – Calls for independent review of Caithness maternity services grow as consultant-led service reinstated in Elgin
