Health Secretary urged to review Caithness maternity services
15 Caithness women gave birth at the region's hospital last year.
Last updated 23rd Jul 2021
Far north health campaigners are urging Health Secretary Humza Yousaf to review Caithness maternity services.
It comes as FOI figures reveal out of 156 births at Caithness General and Raigmore last year, 90% of Caithness women travelled to the Inverness hospital.
Only 15 of them had their babies at the Wick-based hospital.
Work is ongoing to build a new community midwifery unit (CMU) at Caithness General, but the Caithness Health Action Team (CHAT) want to see a unit run by midwives, supported by consultant obstetricians.
"Ripple-effect" of 110 mile journey to give birth
Bower mum of two, Sharon Dismore, had to make the 110 mile journey for the birth of both her children, Jorla (3yrs) and Eydis (4 months).
At 40 weeks pregnant with Eydis, she was told to go to Raigmore to be induced.
When she got there, she was told they were too short staffed, meaning she'd have to travel back to Caithness only to return to Raigmore a few days later.
The 39-year-old says there was an added stress with travelling down to give birth to her second child in March, as she worried about leaving her eldest back in Caithness.
She said: "I just wanted to get back up the road, my daughter had been away for the longest time from myself and her dad.
"You just worry about the effects it's having on your family and the people looking after your child.
"It's not just the mother, it's the ripple effect it has on the family.
"Both times throughout the pregnancy, it's the not knowing, not understanding what it's going to look like when you get down to Raigmore, what your journey is going to be like if you go down in labour."
"I have faith my body knows what it's doing and it has done it twice, but do I have faith in the NHS with the system of travelling us down to Raigmore? No I don't.
"I'm not just angry for me, I'm angry for all the mums that are up here.
"And for the maternity staff at Wick, they're good midwives I've found them amazing."
Orkney-style maternity service wanted for Caithness
CHAT is coming up to its fifth birthday and members want to see a consultant obstetrician supported unit come to Caithness.
This style of maternity service is being implemented in Orkney.
CHAT's vice chair, Ron Gunn explained why he thinks it would work well in Caithness.
He said: "Their birth rate is very similar to Caithness, as is their population.
"Around 80% of their mothers actually give birth in the hospital, very few have to go to Aberdeen.
"A complete opposite of what happens in Caithness.
Ron also says they would welcome an independent review into services, similar to what is happening in Moray.
He added: "They downgraded it on safety grounds, but they replaced it with a model which can't be seen as safe if the majority of women have to travel 110 miles to give birth.
"We would really welcome an independent review."
Maternity services must ensure safety
NHS Highland say they're aware of the travel risk and continue to discuss ideas around this.
Chief Executive Pam Dudek said: "The establishment of the midwife-led CMU model in Caithness was originally set up in 2016 on the grounds of safety.
"Thanks to the hard work and dedication of the midwifery staff in Caithness, the CMU is now fully established with care being provided locally for women throughout the whole pregnancy journey.
"Local birth is an option for women who have low risk pregnancy, women with medical or pregnancy complications are referred to Raigmore Hospital, where consultant obstetric and neonatal services are available.
"We are aware of the ask and we will continue to discuss and seek to share ideas with our local community and service users to enhance and develop our future approach to maternity services.
"We are unable to comment on individual cases, but recognise pregnant women and their families may require support in planning for their stay in Inverness and at Raigmore Hospital.
"Women can discuss birth plans with their community midwife.
"We are committed to working closely with pregnant women and their families to understand how we can work with partner agencies to provide practical support."
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: "We expect all boards to provide maternity services that are person-centred and delivered as close to home as possible, but this has to be balanced with ensuring the safety of mother and baby.
"We welcomed the Best Start North review, commissioned by NHS Grampian, Highland and the Island boards, which aims to examine maternity and neonatal services in the North of Scotland and, in consultation with local people, develop the best possible sustainable model for the future.
"In May 2020 the Scottish Government provided capital funding for the creation of a new build community midwifery unit (CMU) at Caithness General Hospital. This work is near to completion, with an opening date expected soon."