No politics from CHAT, but this MSP has some interesting points to make.

Since 2016 the SNP have closed or downgraded 5 major maternity units. Some expectant mothers are travelling over 100 miles on Scotland’s dangerous A9 to give birth.

The SNP must reverse these shameful cuts, and reinstate these vital wards. pic.twitter.com/dyflP40DGw

— Scottish Conservatives (@ScotTories) September 23, 2023

Jamie Stone, MP, has written to First Minister, Humza Yousaf, demanding action to resolve the dreadful situation pregnant mums face on the 100 mile plus torturous journey to Inverness. Jamie called it a “recipe for tragedy” – and he is right. The simple truth of it is that unless we get action very, very quickly, then a tragedy is certain.

Ask yourself this – “Would a woman in Inverness, Edinburgh, Glasgow, or London, be expected to travel this vast distance, in the dark, in the cold, in the middle of the night, frightened and in pain? If the answer is “No”, then ask yourself this – “Why should women in Caithness be expected to do so”. And there is your answer.

So very, very sad………………….

Here is the link:-

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-63373624

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.

Our dedicated friends at the North Highland Women’s Wellness Hub, Rebecca, Kirsteen, and Claire, have written an open letter to First Minister, Humza Yousaf, about the maternity situation and the impact on womens health services in the North. A really powerful communication. Well done from CHAT!

Maternity model is a ‘formula for tragedy’ say Caithness health campaigners

Reported in today’s Caithness Courier – CHAT have written to First Minister Humza Yousaf, pointing out – once again – the totally unacceptable situation in Caithness, where pregnant mums (and new babies) are forced to undergo the long and hazardous trip to and from Raigmore, often in the dark, and in appalling weather conditions.

The letter was prompted by the recent severe weather event, during which the A9 was closed, and the police were strongly advising people “not to travel”. The letter said that the current situation is “a formula for tragedy” – and it is.

This single paragraph sums it up perfectly:-

“Can you imagine the fear and terror that heavily pregnant mums experience having to face this journey while in labour? These poor mums have no choice due to this centralised maternity model which dictates that the majority of our mums have to travel to Raigmore over 100 miles away, on this very dangerous arterial road.”

We need action, and action now. Please continue to support CHAT by writing to the newspapers, commenting on social media, and telling politicians exactly how bad things are. We have to get this sorted out before the inevitable tragedy occurs.

A very interesting – and alarming – story here about maternity services in Caithness. A shocking account of one woman’s experience when, in 2017, she was forced to make the torturous 100 mile plus journey to Raigmore to have her baby – in the dark and the cold. Only a few weeks earlier, before services were downgraded in Caithness, she could have had her baby here – safe and protected.

Another woman speaks about her distressing experiences, undergoing induction procedures in Raigmore, and then having to have an emergency Caesarean – when she would far, far rather have been able to have her baby naturally, in Wick.

Kirsteen Campbell and Maria Aitken make very valuable contributions to the story, and there is no doubt at all that – here in Caithness – we need the Orkney model. Caithness women deserve no less.

https://uk.news.yahoo.com/rural-communities-being-forgotten-maternity-100000059.html

Many thanks to Edward Mountain MSP for the Highlands and Islands Rhoda Grant MSP Fergus Ewing MSP for speaking up for Caithness Health Action Team during the Petition Committee meeting today. This was in relation to their Petition for Community Participation Request for healthcare in Caithness. This is particularly important to us due to the downgrading and centralisation of our healthcare through stealth.

The background to this is simple – CHAT represents thousands of people in the county in regard to maternity and other very important healthcare issues. CHAT should clearly be given a “seat at the table” by NHS Highland as a community representation group. This has not happened. There is no appeal process. The Petitions Committee at Holyrood are considering the matter, following submission of a petition by Maria / CHAT. There is no doubt at all that CHAT should be represented, and the lack of an appeals process is not acceptable.

More on CHAT FB page – https://www.facebook.com/caithnesshealth/

Today CHAT wrote to the First Minister. We need island status.

Dear First Minister,

Storm Babet is currently raging, and our main arterial road to Raigmore has been blocked on numerous occasions because of the weather and accidents. These road blocks are very regular and we are often landlocked, like an island. Only last month our main road was blocked for several hours due to a very serious accident. Winter conditions are on the horizon with the possibilities that snow gates are closed. Air ambulance assistance is often not available to labouring women or to other patients due to fog or weather conditions. There are many areas of this route that have no phone signals, so a call for help cannot be made . NHS Highland announce weather warnings to patients having to travel; but nothing about the risks for anxious, labouring mums.

This dangerous journey is most often undertaken in a private car with a partner or family friend driving or on unreliable public transport for over four hours. Can you imagine the fear and terror that heavily pregnant mums experience having to face this journey while in labour? These poor mums have no choice due to this centralised maternity model which dictates that the majority of our mums have to travel to Raigmore over 100 miles away ,on this very dangerous arterial road.

Yet again, our Caithness communities hold their breadth in extreme anxiety, worried about our people who have no choice but to endure the risks of travel to Raigmore in order to attend the very many now centralised appointments; vulnerable pregnant mums journeying to Raigmore to give birth, or new born babies travelling home to Caithness and having to be released from car seats every hour due to the risks of restricted breathing.

This all adds up to a formula for tragedy under the watch of a Scottish government who have promised a Best Start for all mothers, children and families no matter where they live in Scotland. Mr Yousaf at a recent meeting with us, you stated that the 20 minute drive home with your wife and new born baby was too long, can you imagine the 3 +hour journey, in the dark, in a storm?

A maternity model that is similar to the Orkney maternity model, would allow the majority of our mothers to be able to give birth in Caithness, with only a minority having to endure the journey to Raigmore .

Yours Sincerely,

Caithness Health Action Team

Interesting story here:-