John Swinney urged to attempt 'terrifying' 100-mile journey faced by pregnant women in Highlands
dailyrecord.co.ukJohn Swinney has been urged by the Scottish Liberal Democrats and campaigners to make the "terrifying" 100-mile journey faced by many women in the Highlands accessing NHS maternity care.Since 2016, many women in Caithness and Sutherland have been forced to endure the long journey to Inverness for maternity and gynaecological treatment after maternity services were downgraded from being consultant-led.A report has found that over 14,000 patients a year have to make the journey -which takes at least three hours by car- in some circumstances at night or in adverse weather conditions.
In a letter from Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton; Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross MP Jamie Stone; and Caithness Health Action Team chair Ron Gunn; the First Minister was told to face up to the "dangerous realities" of Highland healthcare.
Campaigners have called for the Scottish Government to restore consultant-led maternity services at Caithness General Hospital.
Monday's letter follows a report by the Scottish Human Rights Commission on the critical state of sexual and reproductive health services in Caithness and Sutherland.
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