Highlands and Islands MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston today questioned the health secretary, Humza Yousaf, on the need for an independent review on maternity services in Caithness.
It came following a statement by the health secretary in the Scottish Parliament, where he outlined steps forward for restoring services in Moray. However his proposals came under criticism from clinicians.
Jamie Halcro Johnston said:
“While today’s statement on maternity services in Moray was disappointing, it also failed to address wider issues across the region, including the continued problems with maternity services in Caithness. Expectant mothers have often forced to travel ridiculous distances to receive even basic care, and it is an issue that my colleague Edward Mountain MSP has been campaigning on for many years now and one that needs answers."
“At least in Moray, there has been an independent review into maternity services in the region. Meanwhile, in Caithness, families and local campaigners have been calling out for such a step since 2016. The region cannot continue to rely on the already overstretched facilities at Inverness and Aberdeen for maternity cover. We need real action to secure genuinely local healthcare that meets the needs of local people.”
