Swinney urged to make ‘terrifying’ 100-mile journey facing mothers accessing NHS

John Swinney has been urged to make the “terrifying” 100-mile journey facing many women in the Highlands accessing maternity care.

In a letter from Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton; Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross MP Jamie Stone; and Caithness Health Action Team chair Ron Gunn; the First Minister was told to face up to the “dangerous realities” of Highland healthcare.

Since 2016, many women in Caithness have been forced to make the long journey – which takes at least three hours by car – to Inverness in order to access maternity and gynaecological treatment.

Campaigners have called for the Scottish Government to restore consultant-led maternity services at Caithness General Hospital.

Monday’s letter follows a report by the Scottish Human Rights Commission on the critical state of sexual and reproductive health services in Caithness and Sutherland.

The report warned the centralisation of health services had led to 14,000 patients a year from Caithness and Sutherland travelling to Inverness for routine, emergency and acute care, with no risk assessments for patient safety.

The Lib Dems said long journeys faced by locals have culminated in mothers experiencing anxieties about giving birth en route – especially during night-time travel in adverse weather conditions – and have even led to women losing their fertility due to delays in accessing Raigmore in emergencies.

The First Minister previously acknowledged the “long and difficult journey” and said he would engage with the Lib Dems on the issue.

Mr Stone said: “I have spent my political career tirelessly campaigning for better health services in the Highlands – particularly with regards to the dangerous state of maternity care in Caithness.

“Every time, I have been met with excuses from the SNP Government, who have so far chosen to ignore the issue as opposed to solving it.

“I am grateful to our leader, Alex Cole-Hamilton, for supporting my calls. The First Minister assured the Parliament that he was aware of the issue and we will take up his offer of talks.

“That is why myself and my colleagues have invited Mr Swinney to Caithness to face the realities himself. This ought to happen without delay, in light of the severity of the report and the daily threat to the health and safety of people in the Highlands.”

Mr Cole-Hamilton said: “The First Minister needs to grasp just how terrifying these 100-mile journeys are for new mothers.

“My party and I will continue to put pressure on the Government and we won’t stop until we get the best for these mothers and their babies.”

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “NHS Highland took the decision to move to a midwife-led unit at Caithness General Hospital because of 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. Ministers continue to engage on these important matters.”