Campaign to restore full maternity service in Caithness reaches the UN

A campaign to restore a full maternity service in Caithness has reached the United Nations.

Maternity at Caithness General was downgraded almost ten years ago, leaving most mums-to-be with 100-mile journeys to give birth at hospital in Inverness.

Caithness campaigners have now presented their case to a human rights committee in Geneva.

The consultant-led maternity unit at Caithness General was downgraded to a midwife-led facility.

The vast majority of local women now give birth at Raigmore Hospital. Campaigners who opposed the review from the start have highlighted the massive inconvenience of such journeys and potential health risks.

Maria Aitken of the Caithness Health Action Team (Chat) said: “There is no accountability to what has happened to us here in Caithness and the centralisation of health care, particularly in maternity and women’s health and particularly to the most vulnerable in our community.

“So, we want them to make the Scottish Government and NHS Highland accountable for their decisions.”

The community group formally put its case directly to the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (on Wednesday) with an online link with Chat’s Iain Gregory.

The community argues that the existing level of health care involving long journeys for treatment is a breach of human rights affecting women and babies and many other patients.

The UN committee is expected to share its thoughts in due course with the UK and Scottish governments and NHS Highland.

A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: “NHS Highland took the decision to move to a midwife-led unit at Caithness General Hospital based on patient safety.

“This means women can choose to give birth with the support of a midwife, either at home or in the midwife-led unit.

“However, if there are any risks to mother or baby, they are advised to give birth at Raigmore’s consultant-led unit which has access to specialist care.

“To minimise the need for women to travel, NHS Highland provides weekly obstetric-run antenatal clinics and scanning services in Caithness.

“NHS Highland also helps with travel and accommodation costs for those who need to travel for care.”

The health board has met with campaigners in recent days and said it awaits the UN committee’s intervention with interest.

A spokesperson for NHS Highland said: “We acknowledge the importance of working with and hearing from people living in our communities.

“We appreciate the unique challenges that are faced by people in remote, rural and island areas and in providing safe and effective services as close to home as possible.

“We are a listening and learning organisation and will consider feedback alongside our continued community engagement as we work together to plan our services for the future.”

The spokesperson added: “Safety and quality are at the forefront of all of our service planning, and we provide as many gynaecology and maternity procedures as is safe to do so in Caithness General Hospital.

“There are regular consultant clinics in Caithness and we have successfully increased the midwifery team there.

“High risk or complex cases continue to come to our District General Hospital in Inverness. This is the same for all our remote and rural areas in the Highland region.

“We plan our theatre lists to support travel for those travelling longer distances and accommodation and expenses are also provided.”