HUMAN RIGHTS MEETING

Members of the Scottish Human Rights Commission visited Caithness today, and met with representatives of CHAT, in Thurso.

The Commission, which is a body established by law, reported to the United Nations in Geneva earlier his year, in relation to how economic, social and cultural rights are being experienced in Scotland.

Areas of “particular” human rights concern in rural parts of Scotland included “inaccessible healthcare services” and “transport connectivity to essential public services and supplies”. These are both matters which have been raised time and again by CHAT, and other groups, so this was clearly a valuable opportunity for us to explain the issues, the challenges – and indeed the risks – faced by women in labour – and all other patients, here in the far north.

The meeting, which lasted over two hours, was hugely useful, and the Human Rights team (including a specialist solicitor) have taken extensive notes of all that was said. CHAT members gave a very clear account of the situation, with particular reference to the experiences of mums in labour. As an example, we said that “it simply cannot be acceptable for a woman to be expected to drive over 100 miles to Raigmore from Caithness in the middle of the night, in poor weather conditions, in pain, and scared, to have her baby”, and we expressed our belief that this was a clear violation of her rights.

CHAT will be continuing to work closely with the SHRC, and we look forward to making further progress in our aim to ensure that the rights and needs of our community are duly acknowledged, recognised, and actioned.