Scot Lib Dems win amendment on Caithness maternity services review
Responding to the Scottish Health Secretary announcing that the government will back a Scottish Liberal Democrat amendment to this afternoon's debate on Scotland's maternity services and will finally commission an independent review of maternity services in Caithness, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton said:
"It's a complete scandal that women in Caithness can face a 100 mile trip down the A9 to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness to give birth. They deserve better.
"I'm very pleased that the Scottish Government have finally bowed to years of pressure from the Caithness Health Action Team and my party and agreed to back our amendment and an independent review.
"This is the next step in our campaign to ensure expectant mothers are treated fairly.
"This is what you get with the Scottish Liberal Democrats: dogged local campaigners determined to deliver for our communities.
“Now that the Scottish Government has finally given this commitment I am sure locals will be watching like hawks to ensure that the Scottish Government do not try to wriggle off the hook.”
David Green, Scottish Liberal Democrat candidate for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, said:
"Today is a real win for the women who have shared their concerns and experiences of travelling to Inverness to give birth.
"It is also a testament to the hard work of Caithness Health Action Team. They took the human rights case to the UN and, together, we brought the Scottish Government's Public Health Minister to Caithness to hear directly from mothers.
"It shouldn't have taken pushing a parliamentary vote to break the Scottish Government’s reluctance to agree to an independent review of maternity services, but we chiselled away with campaigners, and this change of heart is very welcome
"Restoring maternity services in Caithness must now be a priority. We need a clear timetable for the independent review and assurances that the community - particularly those who use the services - are fully involved."