Today’s Caithness Courier has given great coverage to the meeting held last Saturday at Caithness General Hospital when we had a very constructive meeting with the most senior figures in NHS Highland.
The headline said “Role Reversal would lead to public outcry” – and what we meant was that if things were the the way round, and patients / expectant mums from Inverness were asked to travel the long and torturous road from Inverness to Wick – then there would be an absolute national media frenzy. It is quite reasonable therefore to point out that Caithness mums and patients have to do exactly that, and it isn’t good enough.
Here is a brief summary of what was said at the meeting, which lasted about two hours.
As well as CHAT members, also in attendance were Claire Clark, Kirsteen Campbell, and Rebecca Wymer, from North Highland Womens Wellness Hub, (NHWWH) as well as members of the public who shared their lived experiences of issues.
Sarah Compton-Bishop, Chair of NHS Highland; the outgoing Chief Executive, Pamela Dudek, and the new Chief Officer for Health and Social Care,, Pamela Cremin, represented NHSH.
Ron Gunn, CHAT Chairman, introduced the meeting, and spoke of the “Greatly improved relationship with NHSH now enjoyed by CHAT” and said that he believed that “Positive steps had been taken, and it was important to develop and build on this”. He mentioned the “Day of Action” taken by CHAT not long after its foundation, and provided a brief history of the group, up to the present day.
Ms Dudek responded by saying that “Working together is very important, thereby optimising results” and said that the “commitment from NHSH is there”.
Iain Gregory provided a further resume in relation to CHAT’S vital work for the people of Caithness, and said that “There was an overwhelming need for CHAT to be recognised as an equal partner, with a “seat at the top table” in all matters relating to Healthcare in the Far North”. He also said that “If the current situation were to be reversed and 94% of Inverness mums were required to undergo a torturous and hazardous 100 mile plus journey to Caithness to give birth, there would be a public outcry”. He concluded by saying that “Action is needed now before a tragedy occurs”.
Secretary Maria Aitken spoke strongly about the entire situation in relation to Maternity, making it very clear that “The present situation is simply neither acceptable nor sustainable”. She pointed out that “In 2022 only eight (8) babies had been born in the county to Caithness mums, with no less than 202 mothers being obliged to travel over 100 miles to Inverness to have their babies”. She also mentioned the “High level of Inductions and Caesareans” undergone by local mothers. Mrs Aitken’s very extensive knowledge of the subject was such that she was able to provide an “extremely clear and comprehensive” account to the meeting, emphasising the “Distress and worry caused to so many young mothers, with some unwilling to have another child due to their experiences”.
She also raised the question of travelling expenses for patients who were required to go to and from Raigmore for procedures and clinical consultations, and she will be submitting a full report on this subject to NHS Highland.
The members of NHWWH also spoke passionately and comprehensively, as did other contributors to the meeting, covering a number of health-related topics, with a very clear message being given to the Chair and Senior NHSH members, regarding the need for action.
The meeting – which was professional and conducted in a spirit of cooperation, concluded with a firm assurance from NHSH that cooperation and working together was very important, a sentiment strongly endorsed by CHAT. Mr Gunn concluded the meeting by thanking all the attendees and emphasising that he looked forward to “moving forward to achieve the very best outcomes for Caithness”
Worth accessing the Caithness Courier – an excellent article, and the publicity is very much appreciated.
Caithness Health Action Team 