YOUR VIEWS: Caithness midwives do a great job and call to break up Highland Council

Caithness midwives deserve recognition for excellent work

It was extremely positive to see the recent reports and press highlighting some of the issues faced by women in Caithness when accessing gynaecological and maternity services. I commend the group of women who bravely shared their experiences and the hard work of committed local activists.

However, I felt some of the reporting failed to acknowledge the existing maternity services we do have in Caithness which, in my experience, have been very good. It feels important to also share positive experiences, particularly for anxious parents to be.

A dedicated, skilled and extremely hard-working team of local midwives provide expert support across a large geographical area as well as at the excellent, purpose-built Community Midwifery Unit (CMU) in Wick.

I felt very well cared for throughout my pregnancy in 2023 – I had access to free weekly aqua-natal classes, free parentcraft classes and a free pelvic physiotherapy session. After returning home, we received daily visits from midwives and feeding support specialists and a six-week baby message course.

On top of the Scottish baby box, friends south of the border couldn’t believe my experience! I was also supported in my decision to give birth in Wick at the CMU even though this was my first baby.

I believe up to summer 2024, more babies were born in Caithness than the previous year in a positive upward trend and I assume that number will be even higher by the end of the year.

Indeed, many parents across the UK choose to give birth in midwife-led units, taking advantage of the many benefits they offer. I think it is worth celebrating this great asset and the incredible team who work there.

Of course, giving birth in a CMU is only possible for those going through a “low-risk” pregnancy which means many parents do have to travel to Raigmore. Parents experience high-risk pregnancies for numerous reasons, sometimes overlapping with socio-economic factors including pre-existing health conditions, poverty and poor physical and mental health. A holistic view at how we can improve these factors as a community should also be considered.

Finally, it is a trick of capitalism to insist communities “accept our lot” and it is important we continue to fight for better. Sometimes a pragmatic approach about what might be achievable is necessary though.

We know there is a recruitment crisis across the NHS and Caithness has been impacted by this. Again, the reasons for this are intersectional and requires a review of what makes Caithness an appealing place to live and work for healthcare workers.

Whilst it might be difficult to recruit highly trained staff to reinstate an obstetric unit in Caithness, what can we do to support women and families in the near future who may have to make the journey to Raigmore to give birth? Perhaps maternity wellbeing hubs along the A9 which provide comfort, medical advice and support for the journey?

We ourselves did end up giving birth in Raigmore – an informed decision based on the expert advice and care we received from the team in Wick – where we also had a very good experience.

Maternity services across the UK are crumbling but I would like to take this opportunity to reassure any new parents in Caithness that we do have a great - albeit under pressure - maternity team here and I hope you will be very well looked after, just as my family was.

Charlotte Mountford

Caithness

Break up the Highland Council

The recent vote on this subject was defeated by the SNP and Greens but this is no surprise as this quango already knew they were going to win the vote before they entered the council chamber.

They were not interested in hearing any of the evidence in support of the motion, as they did not want anything to upset the status quo and the power of the Highland Council.

This despite the recent report by the Scottish Human Rights Commission detailing the appalling record of the Highland Council in rural areas.

I am sure many of the SNP councillors represent rural areas and must be aware of these issues but by voting en bloc they are ignoring the wishes of the people who voted for them and I hope that when the next council elections are held they pay the price and are shown the exit door.

As long as the SNP-Green quango are in power there is no hope of us getting the Highland Council broken up and democracy restored to rural areas.

I believe the only way we can move forward is people power and that can only be demonstrated if Caithness has a referendum on this issue. I would like this topic to be discussed at the next meeting of the Caithness councillors.

Of interest this week, I read a report that the provost of Nairn, only 12 miles from Inverness, is calling for democracy to be restored in his area so perhaps this issue is more widespread than just the Highland rural areas.

Billy Sinclair

Ormlie Drive

Thurso

Shoppers urged to stay cool

The run-up to Christmas is always a really busy time for retail workers, as shoppers can be stressed and things can boil over. I want to gently ask your readers to remember that retail staff are people too. They will be working really hard to make your shopping experience as enjoyable as possible and deserve respect.

Talking to our members who work in retail, I know that verbal abuse cuts deep. Many will go home after a shift upset about an unpleasant incident that took place at work that day and worried that it will happen to them again.

That is why Usdaw, the retail trade union, is asking customers to “Keep your Cool”, so that everyone can have a happier Christmas.

With season’s greetings.

Paddy Lillis

General secretary

Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers (Usdaw)

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