In another powerful news story in the Groat today, CHAT Chairman Ron Gunn has hit out at the ongoing situation faced by Caithness Mums who are obliged to undergo the torturous 100 mile plus journey to Inverness to have their babies.
Ron said that the recent heavy snowfall, leading to closure of the A9, brings the concern into sharp focus once again – and indeed it does. The past few days have reminded us of just how dangerous it can be. Can you imagine the potential consequences of a mother in labour getting stuck in the drifting snow yesterday? The consequences do not bear thinking about.
In 2022, no less than 202 mothers (out of a total of 210 from Caithness) had to make this journey.
Ron again called for the “Orkney Model” to be introduced here in the county – quite simply a midwife-led unit backed up by consultants. And he is right.
CHAT met with the then Health Secretary, Humza Yousaf in August, 2022, and called for precisely that. The Scottish Government response, whenever the maternity question is raised, is “Safe maternity care as close to home as practicable, is vital”. We will say it again – We agree. We keep telling you that. And in what way is a journey of over 100 miles in a blizzard to give birth either “Safe” or “Close to home”? We await an answer.
Ron also said that “people from the county are being taken for granted”…………………..
The full story is in today’s Groat, and subscribers can access it by this link:-
Caithness Health Action Team 