CHAT works closely with health campaigners from Dumfries and Galloway, and from Skye, where mums face similar issues to us in accessing healthcare. We maintain – and we are right – that mums and babies have clear and unequivocal human rights, which should in no way be eroded simply because we live in an area which our centralised system regards as “rural and remote”. We certainly didn’t used to be………………
Here is the text of an excellent post on the CHAT FB page, which also has a link to a TV interview with a very brave young woman, Claire Fleming, who tells a harrowing and distressing story of loss, and her awful experiences.
“This brave mum from Dumfries and Galloway tells her upsetting story. Mums in Caithness, and their partners, have very similar stories to tell. It is time for the Scottish Government to take action to quickly address these issues which “remote and rural” communities are currently experiencing.
Time to face up to realities Human Rights in Childbirth Humza Yousaf NHS Highland “remote and rural” mums, partners and their families matter. Action is needed now!
Childbirth over 100 miles away, no clean hygienic toilets, dangerous roads with deer, landslides, road blocked due to accidents, weather conditions or trees blocking roads, newborn babies being held in car seats for over two hours, travel payment policies that are unfair, unclear and unreasonable, centralisation of vital health services to over 100 miles away, and through stealth with no consultation or consideration of the impact for communities. Womens health plan is failing “remote and rural” communities …
https://www.facebook.com/angela.shiells/videos/1081751179532501
Caithness Health Action Team 