There is a really moving and powerful story in the John O’Groat Journal (April 12th – 18th edition), and – once again – we are deeply grateful to our local media for continuing to highlight the current, totally unacceptable situation faced by over 90% of mothers, who are forced to undergo the torturous 210 mile plus return journey to Raigmore Hospital to have their babies.
The headline reads ‘Nine years and nothing has changed – you’re still putting your life, and your child’s, at risk’, and two young mothers speak of the shocking situations they found themselves in, with one being forced to spend two nights sleeping in a caravan in a friend’s garden, as she had been told it was too risky to return home to Caithness, and accommodation in Inverness was simply too expensive.
Another mum spoke of her waters breaking at 0430 on a Friday, and being told that Raigmore would “not have a space for her until the Saturday morning”, some 24 hours later…………..She then underwent the trip to Inverness and “spent a day going around Inverness, feeling very uncomfortable as her waters kept on breaking”, and also not being entitled to accommodation either.
CHAT Chairman Ron Gunn is quoted in the story, and makes it very clear that he wants to see the “Orkney Model” adopted in Caithness – in other words a Midwife-led unit, but backed by Consultants. Is this really too much to ask?
Ron summarises things by saying “It’s supposed to be one of the happiest times of your life – but I am afraid that’s not the current situation for mothers in Caithness and in the north.” That pretty much summarises it, but here is one simple question – how on earth have we found ourselves in this position? And another equally simply one – precisely what do the authorities intend to do about it, and when?
Are we really going to have to accept that – for evermore – the vast majority of mums in Caithness are going to have to accept that the only option is to undergo the dangerous and traumatic journey to Inverness, in pain, stressed and anxious, in all weather conditions, day and night, as well as having to deal with the unaffordable cost of accommodation in the city? Really?
For those who subscribe to the Groat, here is the link.
Caithness Health Action Team 