Maternity review will consider Wigtownshire

A NEW independent review to be carried out into Scotland’s maternity services, including those in Wigtownshire, will begin this summer.

Health Secretary Angela Constance announced the review last week, to examine whether Scotland has the right maternity services in place to meet the changing needs of birthing mothers.

It will be chaired by Christine McCourt, Professor of Maternal and Child Health at City St George’s University of London, and will be completed within nine months.

The review will consider whether maternity services are keeping pace with changes in pregnancy and birth, with women increasingly having children later in life.

The Health Secretary said: “This review will provide a strategic assessment of need that will help us match our services to our population. Rural and island maternity services will also form a major part of the work.”

Ms Constance praised the contribution of Galloway and West MSP

Finlay Carson in making her aware of the issues presently being experienced by mothers-to-be in Wigtownshire.

She told Holyrood: “The review will consider maternity services in rural and island areas and the experiences of women living there.
“I have heard very clearly – particularly from Maree Todd, David Green, Finlay Carson and Laura Mitchell – of the strength of feeling in Caithness and Wigtownshire and Elgin.
“The review will be forward-looking and consider service sustainability, taking account of workforce, culture, safety, quality and equity of access.”

Whilst Mr Carson welcomes the review, he insists it is imperative that this latest review produces concrete results, adding: “Whilst I welcome the government looking at the serious issues facing women in my constituency, we already know that women in Wigtownshire are travelling significant distances for maternity care, with real concerns about safety.
“We had an independent clinician led review with the result ignored by Dumfries and Galloway NHS Board.
“I think it is important that the Cabinet Secretary says how this review will move beyond simply gathering experiences to deliver concrete action, including the prioritising the reopening of Stranraer’s maternity services, and ensure equitable access and genuine choice of place of birth.”