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22 May 04
Lesley Riddoch Show From BBC Radio Scotland At Wick Featured Caithness
Maternity Issue
22 May 04
Mothers and North Action Group Head To Head With Health Board On Lesley
Riddoch Show
Caithness Folk United Batter Health Board Chairman And Professor Calder -
Listen Yourself - Who Is Right?
If you missed the programme you can hear it for the next seven days on
Listen Again at BBC Radio Scotland. Follow the link and then select
Lesley Riddoch Show for Friday. The programme heard from Health
Board chair Gary Coutts and Professor Calder who produced the report with
recommendations about Caithness Maternity. Hear local mothers,
midwife Margaret Hart, Convenor David Flear, NAG Chairman George Bruce,
Councillors and NAG members Graham Smith and Bill Fernie, Wcik Community
Council chair and NAG member Aeliix Miller, Martin Duffy NAG member plus
others.
22 May 04
North Action
Group Edinburgh Maternity Protest Support Grows From The Capital
the North Action Group are taking the maternity protest to the Scottish
Parliament in Edinburgh on 17 June. Support is coming in from people
in Edinburgh who have Caithness connections but the numbers look set to
increase as local trade unions are sending supporters from Caithness and
Harwell. UKAEA is granting time off to a few members to attend the
protest as NAG members set out to lobby MSP's If you are in
Edinburgh and want to join the NAG demo at the Scottish Parliament at The
Mound get in touch with any
NAG member.
22 May 04
North Action
Group Members Will Again Attend Health Board Meeting on 1 June
NAG members are determined to let no opportunity to show that people in
the northern Highland cannot be ignored and will once again send a
delegation to the board meeting on 1 June at Assynt House, Inverness.
The feeling is that NAG members are prepared to travel the miles to
Inverness and Edinburgh so that mothers to be and their families do not
have to go over 100 miles from Wick or 130 miles from North West
Sutherland if maternity services are down-graded.
16 May 04
North Action Group - Inverness Protest
At Raigmore Hospital
 North
Action Group took the protest over Maternity
and other services at Caithness General
Hospital to Raigmore Hospital on Saturday.
North Action Group joined forces with the
group protesting about the handing over of
the scanner to a private company to run for
profit. The NAG protest attracted
media interest from newspapers and Moray
Firth Radio in addition to mentions on Radio
Highland on Friday. Lots of motorists
tooted their horns in support as they passed
by the demo.
16 May 04
North Action Group Also In Perth On
Saturday
Chairman of the North Action Group,
George Bruce and committee member Martin
Duffy represented Caithness at a Scotland
wide gathering of protest groups in Perth on
Saturday. The meeting was called to
exchange views and find out whether there
was a need to form a national organisation
to bring together the many groups facing
downgrading or closures of their local
hospital services in Scotland. George
Bruce was interviewed by BBC TV Scottish
News and the item is expected to be on at
12.30pm on Sunday.
16 May 04
First Minister Jack McConnell Passes Buck
Back To NHS Highland Health Board
In an interview on Moray Firth Radio on
Sunday 16 May the first Minister said it was
the responsibility of the Health Board to
balance the consultants and experience
required at different locations.
16 May 04
North Action Group To Increase
Public Awareness Nationally With Edinburgh
Demo
North Action Groups plans to lobby
Members of the Scottish Parliament on 17
June are now in place. A group from
Caithness will demonstrate outside the
parliament at the Mound in Edinburgh from
about 11.30am till after first Ministers
Question Time. This will be followed
by meeting any MSP's who care to speak to
the group and a press conference. A
new leaflet has been prepared by North
Action Group and will be distributed in
Edinburgh and other places as NAG attempts
to ensure that the plight of Caithness
mothers and babies is known nationally.
16 May 04
Want To Join The Edinburgh Demo?
Supporters of Caithness Maternity
Protest living in the central belt of
Scotland are already indicating they will be
joining the group from Caithness on the day.
Expats, Students and others living in and
around Edinburgh have indicated they will be
at the Mound for what is already looking
like a much bigger demonstration than
Saturdays in Inverness. A bus will
leave Caithness on 16 June to take
demonstrators to Edinburgh. North
Action Group will cover all costs from the
fast growing fighting fund being generously
supported by local people and businesses.
If anyone would like to join the protest in
Edinburgh they can travel with the group or
meet up in Edinburgh. Contact Bill
Fernie
[email protected] if you will be there
or wish to book a place on the FREE bus.
9 April 04
Perth Action Group Fires First Salvo As North Action
Group Prepares To Join National Campaign
The Perth Action Group has fire the first salvo in a new national campaign
that is about to take off in Scotland to save a range of NHS services. The
North Action Group is one of the many who will shortly be in Perth to form
a new alliance of groups from across Scotland taking all the local
campaigns to a new level. Like the North Action Group other groups are
beginning to realise that the solutions to this huge problem will have to
be dealt with by MSP's in Edinburgh. An article in the Press and
Journal today sets the scene that may shortly be common as the small
groups band together for support and to gain the clout to take on the
might of area Health Boards.
2 April o4
NHS Highland Announces Gary Coutts As New Chairman
 Highland Councillor Gary
Coutts is the new chairman of NHS Highland following an announcement
today. The new board will have their first meeting on Tuesday 6
April and up to 14 members of the North Action Group and other Caithness
folk intend to be at the meeting to hear how they decide on the paper
being presented by Chief executive Roger Gibbins. North Action
Group intends to contact board members regarding the situation in
Caithness and to make life easier for anyone who wishes to write to the
board members on the topic we have gathered together some of the contact
information and details about the various board members as these are the
people who will help decide on the future of Maternity services in
Caithness.
1 April 04
CAITHNESS MATERNITY CONSULTATION SHOULD AWAIT SOCIO/ECONOMIC STUDY
The Highland Council has repeated its call on the NHS Highland Board
to delay issuing a consultation on the future delivery of maternity
services in Caithness and North Sutherland until a social and economic
impact study, to be commissioned jointly by the Council and Highlands and
Islands Enterprise, is completed. Convener Councillor Alison Magee and
Caithness Area Convener Councillor David Flear also argue that the
newly-formed Board, which meets for the first time on Tuesday (6 April),
should be allowed to settle into their new jobs before taking such a
far-reaching decision and that the holiday months during the summer are
not the most appropriate time to consult with the public.
Paper By Chief Executive of NHS Highland Rushing The New Board
A paper to be put before the new Health board for discussion on 6 April
leaves only two options if his recommendations are accepted by the
members.
Professor Calder's Report In Full
MATERNITY SERVICES IN CAITHNESS AND SUTHERLAND -AN INDEPENDENT REVIEW
CONDUCTED ON BEHALF OF HIGHLAND ACUTE HOSPITALS TRUST
21 March 04
Huge Crowds Turn Out To Support Maternity
Rally In Wick
 The
crowds turned out in huge numbers with
estimates of over 2000 in support of the
North Actions Group's call to support
consultant led maternity services in
Caithness. From 2.20pm onwards the
crowds lined up and eventually encircled the
Caithness General Hospital before moving off
down the Cliff and long Bridge Street and
into Market Square
North Action Group Delivered Mothers Day
Card To Maternity Unit
 Members
and supporters of the North Action Group
delivered a large Mothers Day card to the
staff at the maternity unit before the march
to the rally began at Caithness General
Hospital. Many members of the
committee of of North Action Group have been
themselves or had relatives in the maternity
unit. they wish to ensure that future
services are retained for the community in
the future.
George Bruce Chairman
Of North Action Group Overwhelmed By Support
 George Bruce reiterated the north Action
Groups intentions to fight all the way for
maternity services in Caithness. He
thanked everyone for turning out in such
large numbers and with few comparisons in
recent years declared this the biggest show
of felling the government has yet seen.
With other groups all over the country
fighting to for other units there was little
doubt that this was a force the MSP's in
Edinburgh must take note of.
Rob Gibson MSP Calls
For Cross Party Unity On Maternity Issue
 SNP MSP for the Highlands and Islands has called for cross Party
co-operation over the threatened Maternity Unit at Caithness
General Hospital.
Mr. Gibson was speaking at the protest and he
said..."This is a chance for all shades of political opinion to
get together to come up with constructive solutions to the
problem of centralisation of the Health Service. What we need is
a unity of purpose where we all speak with a clear voice."
"Ultimately the health minister cannot leave Caithness and
north Sutherland in no-man's land." Mr Gibson also
called for health board members to be made
accountable and face the ballot box.
Maureen Macmillan MSP
Delighted At Support For Caithness Maternity
Unit
 MSP
Maureen MacMillan stated her full support
for the people of the north and their fight
to retain consultant led services
Jamie Stone MSP Says
"Only God Almighty Can Change Geography"
 Jamie
Stone MSP was he said amazed by the huge
support at the biggest demonstration of its
kind he had ever seen in the north of
Scotland. Outlining the reasons why
the Health board and the Scottish Executive
had to think again and referring to
weaknesses in the Calder report he was given
enthusiastic responses from the crowd for
committing himself to do everything in his
power to save services in Caithness General
Hospital
Area Convenor David
Flear Declares Highland Council &
Councillors Support The Campaign
 David Flear was firm in his statements
that not only was highland council firmly on
the side of the campaigners fighting to save
consultant led services but they were asking
that no decisions were taken until the
results of the Council and HIE Impact Study
was completed to show the social and
economic consequences of running down
maternity services on the north of Scotland.
Luke Ivory For
Scottish Socialist Party Supporting Fight
For Caithness Maternity Services
 Luke
Ivory for the Scottish Socialist Party made
a stirring speech in support of the people
fighting to save maternity services.
He also added his party's voice to the
growing demand to remove un-elected health
board quangoes. He said it was time to
remove the un-elected "Placemen" of the
Scottish Executive. The suggestion
found favour with the assembled crowd and he
was cheered and clapped.
Aelex Bain Vice Chair Of
North Action Group Vows To Fight Campaign
With Everything
 Thanking everyone for speaking and the
crowds for coming Aelex Bain pledged that
North Action Group members would be
carrying on the campaign with everything
they could think of. Aelex Bain has
two children and has her own personal story
of how without consultants being on hand in
Caithness she would have suffered serious
consequences. Her story is echoed by
others on the north Action Committee as well
as many other women who have come forward to
tell there own stories.
Global Funds Begin To
Come In From Caithness Connected Folk
Everywhere
North Action Group are beginning top receive
offers of financial support from round the
globe as the Scots everywhere and
particularly those with northern connections
rally to the cause of retaining consultant
led maternity services in the north of
Scotland. what began as a small
campaign is turning out be a rallying call
to the Scottish diaspora. Donations
To the fight To Save Consultant Led
Maternity services in Caithness can be sent
to Treasurer - Councillor Tom Jackson, 15
Upper Burnside Avenue, Thurso, Caithness,
KW14 7XA
Caithness Pipe Bands
Join The Fight For Maternity Services
 The spontaneous offers from three different
pipe bands in Caithness brought together a
big sound to lead the demonstrators at
Caithness General Hospital and to lead the
march along Bridge Street and into Market
Square to hear from North Action Group and
the assembled politicians. The rousing
sound hammered along Bridge Street and
resounding in the Market Square urged folk
to say "There is no way we can lose now and
we will not give up"
Call Goes Up To Scrap
Unelected Health Board Quangoes
MSP Rob Gibson SNP and Luke Ivory SSP
both called for an end to unelected Health
Boards and that elections should be brought
in to make the individuals accountable to
the electorate. In what may turn out
to be an unexpected wake up call the crowds
greeted the idea enthusiastically cheering
and clapping each time the idea was
suggested. Calls to ensure that all
the individuals are made known to everyone
as soon as they take office after 1 April
were in place. NHS highland Health
Board members will no longer be allowed to
be faceless as the previous board were.
North Action Group members are to take every
step possible to highlight who is on the new
board.
North Action Group
Calls On People To Attend Health Board
Meetings From Now On.
All Health Boar meetings are open to the
public but few people if any ever avail
themselves of the opportunity to see them in
action. north Action Group hopes to
change all that and have people attending
every meeting until the maternity issue is
settled. the next meeting in on
6 April in Inverness and NAG is organising
for people to attend and anyone without
transport can contact NAG to arrange for a
lift. Depending on numbers a bus may
be organised although this expensive.
21 March 04
GIBSON CALLLS FOR UNITY
SNP MSP for the Highlands and Islands has called for cross Party
co-operation over the threatened Maternity Unit at Caithness
General Hospital.
Mr. Gibson was speaking at the protest and he
said..."This is a chance for all shades of political opinion to
get together to come up with constructive solutions to the
problem of centralisation of the Health Service. What we need is
a unity of purpose where we all speak with a clear voice."
"Ultimately the health minister cannot leave Caithness and
north Sutherland in no-man's land."
Also Mr. Gibson launched a leaflet listing the very minimum of
changes that would be needed to boost the Caithness General
Maternity Unit, they included....
To Recruit and train maternity consultants to rotate their work
between Wick and Inverness.
Invest in equipment for new born baby care at Caithness General
Hospital. Hire ambulance planes and helicopters to work out of
Wick airport and upgrade the second run- way.
Provide free travel and B&B services for families with
complicated birth cases in Inverness.
End A9 road journeys for pregnant mums and babies to and from
Inverness.
Elect Health Boards to ensure local accountability Set up rural
medicine faculty centred on UHI to back up case for local
medical solutions alongside acute centres.
17 March 04
MSP Rob Gibson Fears Other Affects Of Maternity Downgrading
SNP MSP fore the Highlands and Islands Rob Gibson is calling
for an inquiry into the Social, Economic and Clinical impact
that the downgrading of the Maternity Unit at Caithness General
Hospital in Wick will have on the County.
Speaking at a press conference ahead of Professor Calder's
public meeting Mr Gibson said...."It is time that an assessment
is made on how this change to health provision in the North will
affect every aspect of life in the area. There is a real danger
that this could become a domino affect and that more and more
services will be down graded or lost altogether."
He added...."This downgrading could affect the future
sustainability and growth of Caithness, therefore it is
important that research is carried out to asses what impact the
downgrading of one service has on the community, in order to
safe guard others."
He finished by questioning the Executives commitment to all
parts of Scotland...."The Health Minister Malcolm Chisholm says
that he is committed to investing in front line services, I
would ask the minister if he believes that Caithness and Fort
William are beyond the front line? If this is so then the future
of rural and remote regions in Scotland and the Highlands and
Islands looks grim."
17 March 04
SOCIALISTS CONDEMN CALDER REPORT –
“A DEATH WARRANT FOR RURAL SURGERY”
The Scottish Socialist Party has condemned the report by
Professor Calder, describing it a ‘a death warrant for rural
surgery’.
Frank Ward, secretary of Caithness & Sutherland SSP and a member
of the North Action Group formed to organise resistance to the
threat of downgrading, added to withering criticism of the
Calder Report.
He said - “The Report is a disgraceful rubber-stamp on NHS
plans to centralise all medical services and it must be
resisted. It exaggerates the difficulties and dismisses
alternative solutions without any serious consideration. It is a
death warrant for rural surgery.”
“The report accepts that it is inevitable that other medical
services will be lost as well. The loss of maternity services
will result in the loss of anaesthetic services, which will
threaten the future of Caithness general surgery. As Carolyn
Leckie stated in the Scottish Parliament, the hospital is in
great peril and the report implicitly accepts that.”
“In addition to the Calder Report there are other mechanisms in
place to enable further cutbacks across Scotland. Under the
guise of an academic research programme, NHS management is
studying how these cuts can be implemented and rolled out across
Scotland, using Caithness as the model.”
“The Calder report also says that ALL Scotland’s consultant-led
units – including surgical and other disciplines - with under
ten consultants will no longer be viable!”
“The committee itself was loaded with hand-picked favourites
with vested interests who could be relied upon to deliver the
required verdict. It included a man currently arranging the
closure of Perth Royal Infirmary maternity unit and its
absorption into his own department at Dundee Ninewells.”
Mr Ward, who was ejected from the Board meeting by Police after
the Chairwoman refused to take any questions from the floor,
added: “The Report is yet another whitewash of government
incompetence and lack of planning. It is also incompetent –
using spurious scientific methodology that any sixth year
student would laugh at.”
16 March 04
North Action Group Web Site Launched In
Time For Special Health Board Meeting In Wick -
The new web site of the North Action Group fighting to save the
consultant led services at Caithness General Hospital maternity
unit has been launched. The new web site address is
www.northaction.org
the Health Board will hold the special meeting to receive
Professor Calder's report on Tuesday 16th at 2.00pm Members of
the board will begin to arrive much earlier and demonstrators
may gather at the beginning and for the end of the meeting. The
new web site set up by Caithness.org will be found by a link at
the side of this page. Reports from the North Action Group,
Press Releases and comments will shortly begin to be posted.
anyone can add their comments about the current situation.
11 March 04
CAITHNESS CONVENER WELCOMES WIDER CONSULTATION ON
MATERNITY MOVES
The Convener of The Highland Council’s Caithness Area Committee,
Councillor David Flear, has welcomed the chance to speak to the NHS
Highland Board when it meets in Wick next week to discuss the findings of
an independent review carried out by Professor Andrew Calder into the
safety and sustainability of maternity services in Caithness and
Sutherland.
Kinbrace Folk
Organise Bus To Come To Mothers Day Demo In Wick
It is a long way from Kinbrace To Wick but the folk there know that it is
also a long way to Inverness for any woman expecting a baby if there are
problems. People from Kinbrace in Sutherland will travel to Wick to
join the march and demonstration in Market Square, Wick on Mothers Day at
2.30pm from the hospital.
Maternity Discussion On Lesley Riddoch Show on BBC Radio Scotland -
Play Again
Go to the play it again place and select Thursday. the show last for
an hour and begins with the news headlines etc. The programme last
for an hour.
Safeway Staff Raise £319 For Maternity Campaign
 Safeway
Staff were delighted with the response to their home-baking stall to raise
funds to support the North Action Group in their campaign to retain
consultant led services at Caithness General Hospital. Staff baked a
wide range of items for sale at the stall. The company also donated
store vouchers that were raffled. Pictured are just a few of the
staff who contributed and served on the stall in the morning.
The stall was quickly sold out such was the enthusiastic support from
customers in the store. Many thanks From North Action
Group
North Action Group Getting Ready To Launch Huge Letter Writing Campaign
 The
North Action Group campaigning for maternity services in Caithness are
gearing up to prepare a big letter wiring campaign. The group have
already sent out over 600 letters to to businesses in Caithness and
Sutherland as well as writing to several politicians and other bodies.
now they are preparing to write to all of the Scottish MSP's individually
to ensure that the strength of feeling in the north of Scotland is
expressed nationally. This along with several other local
initiatives other parts of the Highlands and Scotland will begin to be
co-ordinated via the Internet. NAG Chairman George Bruce made
contact with several groups from around the country at a meeting of the
Save Stobhill Hospital Group in Glasgow on Saturday and it is hoped that
by widening the campaign to include other areas more focus will be
achieved on the issue at the Scottish Parliament.
10 March 04
From NHS Highland
Board
CALDER REPORT ON MATERNITY SERVICES IN
CAITHNESS PUBLISHED
The report on maternity services in Caithness from the independent
group led by Professor Calder has been published.
A spokesman for NHS Highland said: "We have now received the report
and have placed it immediately onto our website so that the people of
Caithness can have direct access to the full report. Professor Calder will
be attending the meeting of Highland NHS Board on Tuesday 16th March 2004
to present the report and to answer questions from the Board on the
report."
10 March 04
Letter From Amicus AEEU
Trade Union (Thurso Branch)
To Malcolm Chisholm MSP
Minister for Health and Community Care
Dear Mr Chisholm,
At a recent branch meeting our members expressed concern about the ongoing
review of maternity services within the Highland area and the effect it
will have on the existing services provided. Our local unit at Caithness
General Hospital is at present under going a review by Professor Calder.
It has been suggested that the outcome of this review may lead to the
present consultant lead service being downgraded to a midwife lead
service. Our members see this as a very unsatisfactory situation for
several reasons..............................
10 March 04
Professor Calder's Report
In Full
MATERNITY SERVICES IN CAITHNESS AND SUTHERLAND
AN INDEPENDENT REVIEW CONDUCTED ON BEHALF OF
HIGHLAND ACUTE HOSPITALS TRUST
10 March 04
Caithness Maternity Issue To Feature On
The Lesley Riddoch Programme BBC
Scotland
North Action Group representative and councillor for Wick West Bill Fernie
will be on air live on the Lesley Riddoch programme - BBC Radio Scotland
on Thursday between 12.00 and 1.00pm when the topic under discussion will
be health services in rural areas in Scotland. The programme
can be heard on BBC Radio Scotland or on the web by following the link
above. Real Player is required to listen to the broadcast live or it
can be played back later as the show is available online later.
10 March 04
REPORT PLANS DOWNGRADING
OF WICK MATERNITY SERVICE
CAITHNESS MUST UNITE AGAINST CENTRALISATION
Caithness maternity services must be designed around the needs of
patients and a consultant-led maternity service maintained, Highlands and
Islands MSP Mr Rob Gibson said today (Wednesday) after the Calder Report
called for it to be downgraded.
Coming on the eve of his Parliamentary debate on the
future of the service, Mr Gibson called for local people to unite in
support of a consultant led service and target the Executive as part of a
campaign to change their centralising culture. Commenting he said:
"Centralisation of maternity services and the closure of the
consultant-led service in Caithness will place the lives of mothers and
their new born children at risk.
"The Calder report is part of an Executive culture of
centralisation. The people of Caithness have to unite to change this
culture. "The disbandment of the four year old Remote and Rural
Areas Research Initiative was an ominous sign, now our worst fears are
coming to fruition with the proposed downgrading of the maternity unit.
"The total lack of understanding of the geography of
the far North and the need of NHS patients is there for all to see. The
people of Caithness and Sutherland must now unite to change the
centralising culture of the Health Service and Ministers.
"Other nations facing the same issues of remoteness and
rurality such as Norway and Canada have successfully designed service
around the patients.
There is no good reason Scotland cannot do the same.
"Protesting, however, will not be enough and proposals to field a hospital
protest candidate at the Euro elections will not change Ministers minds.
The only thing that ever forces a change of heart, is the fear of losing
their own jobs. We must face them with a stark choice, dump your
centralisation plan or else we will dump them."
Debate At Scottish Parliament Live 11 March 5.00pm
click to the main chamber for the debate on the motion put forward by Rob
Gibson MSP.
Professor Calders Report On NHS Highland Web Site
Professor Calders Report and the agenda and papers for eh special health
board meeting to be held in Wick on the 16th of March are expected to be
on the web site some time on Thursday 11 March. The meeting on the
16th is to be held in the Norseman Hotel, Wick and is open to the public
as observers only. North Action Group members have been invited as
have those people who gave evidence to Professor Calder when he visited
Wick. The meeting on the 16th commences at 2.00pm
No decisions will be taken at the meeting. A debate and discussion
will take place on the report. North Action Group members are to be
invited by the chairman to take part in the debate. North Action
Group will meet on Monday 15th March to consider what they should say.
5 March 04
Safeways Staff, Wick To Hold Fundraising Baking Stall
Responding to a letter for support from the North Action Group the
staff at Safeways store in Wick have decided to have a Staff Home Baking
Stall on Thursday 11 March from 9.30am. Safeways Store itself are
contributing Safeways Shopping Vouchers to be raffled at the Baking Stall
on the same day. Staff said they were keen to to help in a practical
way and get involved in supporting the North Action Group campaign on
Maternity services in Caithness. Wick Thistle Football club have
already offered a sum of money to be presented to NAG next week. All
funds raised and not used in the campaign will be donated to the League of
Friends Of Caithness General once North Action Group winds up.
4 March 04
Rob Gibson Gains Scottish Parliament Debate On Maternity In Caithness
Rob Gibson SNP MSP for the Highlands and Islands is to bring the issue
of the Caithness General Hospital Maternity Unit to the attention of the
parliament on Thursday the 11th of March. The debate will be
available live as a webcast on the Scottish Parliament web site from
5.00pm
His motion (S2M-746*) regarding the
under threat Unit which gathered cross party support has been accepted as
a members debate. Mr Gibson said..."This is an important debate as
it will give MSP's who care about health services in rural areas an
opportunity to put across the point that centralisation of NHS services,
whether they adversely affect Wick, Oban or Fort William, is putting the
future sustainability and growth of these areas in jeopardy."
"It is important that the message
goes to Professor Calder, and those who decide the fate of units such as
the Wick Unit, of the importance that a consultant-led maternity unit has
for a remote community and that if one goes then many more essential
services could follow."
He added ..."It will also be an
opportunity to debate ideas and come up with a formula on how the Health
Service can best adapt consultants' contracts to serve rural areas in the
light of new working time directives.
Rob Gibson's Motion
*S2M-746# Rob Gibson (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) : Maternity
Services in Caithness- That the Parliament notes the current review of
maternity services in rural and remote communities of Caithness and north
Sutherland; believes that no "one size fits all" model will deliver
satisfactory solutions across the country; considers that staff shortages
and widely differing geographical circumstances have to be accommodated,
and further considers that the Scottish Executive should instruct NHS
Scotland to draw up consultant contracts so that medical staff gain
competencies in both large and small hospitals and therefore fulfil the
Executive's pledge that every child in Scotland be given the best possible
start in life.
NHS Highland To Hold Additional Board Meeting In Wick Tuesday 16 March
An additional board meeting will be held in Wick on 16 March to
consider the report of Professor Calder on Maternity Services in Wick.
Members of the recently formed North Action Group have been invited to
attend the meeting. Professor Calder is to attend the meeting to
present his report.
Calder Report To Be Released To The Public and Press On 11 March
The report by Professor Calder will be made available on 15 March and
posted on the Board web site later that day.
North Action Group To Discuss Calder Report Prior To NHS board Meeting
the North Action Group will discuss the report into Maternity services at
Caithness General Hospital at its meeting on Monday 8 March - the
day before its members attend the NHS highland board meeting.
A few members of the group are to be allowed to ask questions and some of
these will be formulated at the committee meeting. Public
representatives who met Professor Calder during his previous visit
gathering evidence will also be asked to attend the NHS board special
meeting on 16 March
Highland
Council Agrees £40,000 Spending To Research Affects Of NHS Changes In
Highland
Highland councillors agreed to the proposed research into possible NHS
changes in hospitals in Wick and Fort William and changes to out of hours
services by GP's. The £40,000 will be matched by HIE making a total
of £80,000. NHS highland will co-operate ins supplying information
to help the study and the results will be supplied to them along with
politicians and others.
Malcolm Chisholm On Radio Highland News 1 March 04
Needs Real player to listen
Interview from Saturday in Inverness when the North Action Group spoke to
the minister.
1 March 04
North
Action Group Will link Up With Stobhill Hospital Group In Glasgow Next
Saturday
Representatives from the North Action Group In Caithness formed to
fight the case for retaining consultant led services at Caithness General
will travel to Glasgow next Saturday to attend a meeting after an
invitation from a similar group fighting a similar campaign to save
services at Stobhill Hospital in Glasgow. Links are already being
made with other groups such as the Belford Hospital in Fort William.
The North Action Group is leaving no stone unturned and if it means taking
the campaign to a national level they are determined to do so.
28 February 04
North Action Group Meet Health Minister Malcolm
Chisholm In Inverness
 Members of the North
Action Group travelled to Inverness by train on Saturday 28 February after
requesting a meeting with health minister Malcolm Chisholm. The
group consisting of chairman George Bruce and members Highland councillor
Bill Fernie, Martin Duffy and two mothers Kerry Mackenzie and Aelex Bain
met with Mr Chisholm at the Palace Hotel, Inverness. Arriving
earlier than expected for the ten minute meeting he stayed talking to the
group for 45 minutes and listened to while members outlined the fears of
people in the north for the safety of mothers and babies in the maternity
side of the hospital but also emphasised the growing fears of many about
what would happen to gynaecology patients who also required the services
of consultants.
28 February 04
North Action Group Big Banner Creates Media Interest
In Inverness
 The North Action Group
grabbed media attention for their case to retain consultant led maternity
services in the north by displaying a huge banner created by Martin Duffy
and carried to Inverness by train on Saturday. In addition Martin
and his family had prepared a small child's coffin to symbolise the
possible outcome for patients in the north of Scotland and elsewhere if
health services are curtailed by the removal of access to consultants as
they have been for many years. The eye catching banner and small
coffin were snapped by several local and national photographers
representing a range of newspapers and will appear on Sunday and Monday.
27 February 04
Major Impact Study On Withdrawal Of Health Services
In Highland By Highland Council and HIE
Highland Council Meeting On 4 March Will Be Asked To Agree to £40,000
Expenditure
Highlands and Islands Enterprise Will Contribute a Further £40,000
The serious nature of the possible changes to health
services in Highland particularly in Caithness General Hospital, Wick and
the Belford Hospital, Fort William have been recognised by the
Highland Council and Highlands and Islands Enterprise. Highand
Councillors will be asked to ratify the proposal to carry out this major
Impact assessment at their meeting on Thursday 4 March in Inverness
Highland council summarised the research as
follows -
Research into the impact and consequences for local communities arising
from the potential withdrawal of NHS Services can be commissioned.
such research would be of use within localities and at a pan-Highland
level. Three areas of enquiry are proposed for the research. HIE seeks to be involved in the research and an involvement from NHS
Highland is required. Contractor capacity and timescales may require
the research to be commissioned by direct placement, with Members
approval. To manage the process a cross-service and partner officers
group is proposed, reporting progress to a consultative group of elected
and appointed members. an allowance of up to£40,000 is required and
is identified within the appropriate budget. Highlands and Islands
Enterprise can fund up to a similar level
27
February 04
North Action Group Features On BBC Radio
Scotland News - Click Highland And
Islands News On
BBC site
Requires Real Player
Bill Fernie representing
the North Action Group featured in a short interview outlining
why they were travelling to Inverness to see Health minister
Malcolm Chisholm in Inverness on Saturday as the Labour Party
conference reaches its final day
27 February 04
Maternity Downgrading Threat Rammed Home As
North Action Group Cancel Battle Bus Trip Due To Severe Weather Conditions
As if to ram home the point about weather and distance in the
Highlands the current severe weather has meant the group who were to send
a bus full of protesters to Inverness on Saturday 28 February to lobby the
Labour Party conference has been cancelled. A smaller group will go
by train as a meeting of ten minutes has been granted by Malcolm Chisholm
the Health Minister. The smaller delegation will making all the
points regarding distance, weather and economic impact on Caithness if
there is a downgrading of maternity services at Caithness General
Hospital. If anyone else wants to make points to MSP's or ministers
especially Labour then you can send emails any time.
24 February 04
Wanted
Demonstrators To Go To
Inverness On Saturday
28 February A bus taking up to 48 people will leave from Thurso and
head for Inverness via Wick to demonstrate in Inverness to draw attention
to the possible consequences of downgrading at Caithness General Hospital.
The newly formed North Action Group is organising this day of action in
Inverness. there will be time for shopping etc. the new group
are also already embarked on major letter writing campaign to local
businesses and medial staff in Caithness. See inside on how to book
a place on the bus to Inverness
12 February 04
A New Action Team Is
Formed
 Over
100 people turned out on Wednesday night to form a new Action Committee to
defend consultant led maternity services in Caithness. Amongst many
suggestions it was acknowledged that the fight might extend to more than
just maternity as much more might be under threat if the maternity fight
was to be lost.
8 February 04
League Of Friends Public Meeting
Wednesday 11 February 7.30pm Assembly Rooms, Wick
A What Next Meeting?
The League Of Friends now sees the way forward as uniting everyone in the
county who want to retain the level of Maternity services at Caithness
General Hospital. They will be looking for as many suggestions as
possible to give to a new Action Team to take them forward.
suggestions made at the meeting on Saturday were asked by that audience to
be taken forward to Wednesday nights meeting. The Saturday meeting
did not favour forming an Action Team until the meeting on Wednesday
likely to be much larger had a chance to get involved and to ensure only
one team presented a united front from Caithness.
The main hall has been booked to ensure that people from all over the
county can get in.
7 February 04
Public Meeting Assembly
Rooms, Wick
 Around 70 people
attended a public meeting organised by the Scottish Socialist Party to try
to get ideas and agreement as to how action might be taken to carry
forward a campaign to maintain consultant led services in Caithness.
MSP Jamie Stone billed as a speaker at the meeting did not make it
possibly due to bad weather. However SSP MSP Carolyn Leckie and
councillor Bill Fernie spoke to the audience. Ms Leckie outlined her views
of the current situation. In the morning she had visited the
Maternity Unit at Caithness General and had been impressed by the levels
of skills and services available at the unit. A qualified midwife
herself it was immediately evident from her speech that she had a very
detailed grasp of the serious situation that the people in rural areas
find themselves faced with a reduction in maternity services.
2 February 04
JAMIE STONE MSP and CAROLYN LECKIE MSP United On
Maternity Issue - Public Meeting
Saturday 7th February, 2.00pm in Wick Assembly Rooms. Carolyn Leckie is an
SSP MSP and is a qualified mid-wife and spokes person on health matters.
The public are invited to hear speakers and make contributions. The
meeting may also become the focus for forming the action group suggested
by the League of Friends of Caithness General which was to have happened
at last week's meeting cancelled due to the adverse weather.
28 January 04
Maternity Public Meeting Cancelled
Due To Weather Conditions
Due toe severity of the weather conditions in Caithness the meeting
planned for tonight in the Assembly Rooms, Wick has been cancelled until a
later date.
20 January 03
Calder Report Delayed Until April
It seems that Professor Calder's team may not make their final report
known until April rather than February.
16 January 04
Health Motion Debate In
Scottish Parliament
The Scottish Parliament debated a motion concerning health services in
the West Highlands and Caithness was mentioned in the course of the debate
due to the similar issues involved. The full transcript of the
debate is reproduced here for anyone interested in reading what was said
by MSP's on Thursday 15 January.
12 January 04
Scottish Socialists Call For Councillors To Resign From Health Posts
The Scottish Socialist Party is calling on Highland councillors to follow
the example of council Convenor Alison Magee and resign their consultative
positions on the Health Trusts Quangos, and begin the process to
democratise the new unitary authority. These include David Alston
(Black Isle North) and Garry Coutts (Beauly & Strathglass)
11 January 04
Alison Magee Highland Council Convenor Resigns From Highland
Acute Hospitals NHS Trust
Alison Magee convenor
of Highland council has resigned from the post she also held on the
Highland Acute Hospitals NHS Trust. Mrs Magee said that in view of
the council stance on retaining services in the highlands and the current
reviews into services going on there was a potential conflict of
interests.
19 December 03
Highlands MSP fights for Caithness Maternity
Service
Rob Gibson, SNP MSP for the Highlands and
Islands, tabled a motion in the Scottish Parliament calling for the
safeguarding of maternity services in Caithness.
It
follows a busy week for the campaign, which showed its strength on Monday
with
big demonstrations greeting Professor
Calder, the medic responsible for reviewing the future of the maternity
service in the area.
The
motion suggests a solution to the problem whereby medical staff also need
to gain experience in both small and larger hospitals. Mr Gibson suggested
a scheme whereby doctors could rotate between hospitals in Caithness,
Inverness and Aberdeen.
Commenting, Mr Gibson
said:
"This seems to be the only viable solution. The only other proposal on
the table till now has been to transport pregnant women over 100 miles,
which is clearly unworkable. We need maternity services in Caithness.
"I hope that the
Scottish Executive will realise that for sustainability in rural areas
there needs to be facilities and services present to keep them thriving.
Priority needs to be given to Highlands and Islands areas that are
suffering increasing depopulation.
Full text of motion:
S2M-746# Rob Gibson (Highlands and
Islands) (Scottish National Party) : Maternity Services in Caithness-
That the Parliament notes the current review of maternity services in
rural and remote communities of Caithness and north Sutherland; believes
that no "one size fits all" model will deliver satisfactory solutions
across the country; considers that staff shortages and widely differing
geographical circumstances have to be accommodated, and further considers
that the Scottish Executive should instruct NHS Scotland to draw up
consultant contracts so that medical staff gain competencies in both large
and small hospitals and therefore fulfil the Executive's pledge that every
child in Scotland be given the best possible start in life.
15 December 03
Crowds Meets Professor Calder's Team For Maternity
Review
Crowds awaited the review team as they flew in with folk still shouting he
should have come by road to see for himself the journey of over 100 miles.
15
December 03
Professor Calder Held A Short Press Conference
 Professor Calder gave a
short if somewhat gloomy interview to the waiting press from the BBC,
Grampain TV, Local and national newspapers as well as freelance writers
and photographers. He talked broadly about the position regarding
shortages of consultants and European Working Time Directives but gave no
indications of how his report will reflect local problems.
15 December 03
Another Crowd at Caithness General Hospital
 Professor Calder and
his team were accused of sneaking in the back door as hsi transport took
him around the back instead of coming in the front door where mothers and
many other people hasd gathered to show support for retaining services
15
Dec 03
Highland Council Press Conference Sets Out Why
Services Are Needed In The North
 David Flear area convenor
led the conference with George Bruce for the Health Forum adding his
weight and experience to the issues that he has been heard stating many
times and on radio this morning. Emphasising the length of the road to
Inverness and the dangers in winter he was backed up by David Flear who
referred to huge pile of letters in front of him.
15 December 03
Mothers At The Heart Of The Maternity Campaign -
Claim Deaths Will Result
 The ladies from the
League Of Friends and Two Young Mums showed they were united in their
defence of local consultant led services being retained in Caithness.
Kerrie Mackenzie and Elaine Boyle both related their stories of the trauma
surrounding their children's births. From the journey to Nine Wells
hospital by Helicopter and the surrounding problems to a ling ambulance
trip to Raigmore. both of their accounts were full of the agonising
future that may confront many more Mums who might need to be taken south
for both maternity and Paediatric services. There accounts of what was
involved confirmed to many what they already knew that any down grading is
a sentence of death in their opinion for Mums and Babies in future
15 December 03
MSPs Jamie Stone and Rob Gibson Agree Maternity
Is A Cross Party Issue
 Politicians
of all levels were agreed that the
maternity issue across Scotland needs a solution but that down grading in
rural areas cannot be the answer. With distance again being the main
problem and Caithness being one of the furthest away from main hospitals
in the south. Both MSP's and Councillor Flear answered a range of
questions mainly on the threats to mothers and babies but also to a lesser
extent on how this all might affect the economy of the area. Pointing to
support from the local enterprise company and Dounreay ther was little
doubt that people in future would consider whether or not to live in the
area or set up business with a lesser standard of health services on
offer. It was thought that a dentist had already made that part of his
decision to move and that consultants were leaving Caithness General in
anticipation that the Maternity service would be down graded and they were
finding jobs elsewhere before they had to.
27 November 03
East Caithness Draws Together On
Maternity Downgrading Threat
The
Francis Street club , wick was the scene of unprecedented support for
consultant led services to be retained in Caithness.
Councillor Donnie Mackay one of the organisers of the meeting announced
the start of the meeting and introduced Phillip Coghill who chaired the
meeting. Almost no other issue could so easily bring together so
many people from many backgrounds in the local community. The threat
just three years after the last review of maternity services in Caithness
is thought by many to be nothing more than a disgrace with the selection
of Professor Calder being no more than a hatchet man given terms of
reference for an enquiry that can only reach the conclusion that quality
services at consultant level can only be provided outwith the county.
25 November 03
Public Meetings
Wick -
Francis St. Club, Wed 26th Nov, 7.30pm
Thurso -
Town Hall, Friday 28th Nov, 7pm.
To find out the views of people in Caithness about what they want to
see done. Although no proposals are yet made regarding services many
people fear that Maternity services in particular are in line to be
downgraded in the north. Other parts of Scotland face similar
restructuring.
Here Is Where To Find Out Who To Contact
Scottish Parliament
Members Of The Scottish Parliament
- with email addresses
More contact email addresses for Scottish Parliament
Scottish Executive
Highland Health Board
ON SHOW Site
10 Downing Street
Elsewhere
7 October 03
Review Maternity Services Across whole of Scotland
29 July 03
Safety Fears Spark Maternity Shake-up
The Review
Expert Group On Maternity Services - Ref Report
Remit and Membership Of Expert Group
Government Documents
A Framework For Maternity Services In Scotland Pdf
A Framework for Maternity Services In Scotland 2001
Implementing A Framework for Maternity Services in
Scotland Overview Report of the Expert Group on Acute
Maternity Services
Sustainable Maternity Service Provision In Remote
and Rural Areas Of Scotland
The Problem - Taken From:-
Expert Group on Acute Maternity Services: Reference
Report
-
SUMMARY AND WAY FORWARD
There is a consensus of opinion amongst
the planners and providers of maternity care throughout Scotland that,
given the constraints raised in the previous sections, the present
configuration and levels of intrapartum and neonatal care are no longer
sustainable in the short, medium and long term.
-
This has arisen due to changes in the
population and demographic features. Scotland has a centralised
population density with some rural dispersion together with a reducing
population, a falling birth rate, a reduction in family size and women
having children later, thus changing the volume and complexity of
intrapartum care. Maternity needs have changed as there are more complex
maternal morbidities, complex and operative delivery procedures are
increasing and advanced neonatal care means that ill, premature and low
birthweight babies are being looked after more successfully. All
maternity care professions are experiencing difficulty in recruitment
and retention. Increasing demands of clinical governance and quality of
care mean that it is difficult to provide an appropriately trained and
competent professional workforce to provide quality of care in all the
present intrapartum locations. In terms of the medical workforce, there
are difficulties in future compliance with 48 hours European Working
Directive. The constraints on junior doctors’ working hours and
implementation of the Calman recommendations on medical training,
coupled with difficulties experienced in recruitment and retention and
increasing demands of clinical governance and quality of care, make it
increasingly difficult to provide an appropriately trained workforce to
provide quality care in all the present intrapartum locations.
Select topic from drop down menu near bottom of page Links
A Brief History Of Midwifery
NHS History
NHS Explained |
15 September 03
On Caithness Committee Agenda
4 September 03
CAITHNESS CONVENER JOINS CALL FOR MATERNITY UPGRADING
The Convener of The Highland Council’s Caithness Area Committee,
Councillor David Flear, has joined the call for health bosses to consider
upgrading maternity services at Caithness General Hospital.
Councillor Flear intends raising the
matter at the next Area Committee meeting on Monday 15 September and
expects to send a firmly worded response to the Highland Acute Hospitals
NHS Trust, who are currently reviewing maternity services provided in Wick
as part of a Scotland-wide review.
The Area Committee will also seek a
meeting with Professor Andrew Calder, the man leading the review on behalf
of the Executive, who is visiting Caithness later this month.
Councillor Flear has been advised that
the Trust are looking at an option to maintain the status quo at the
11-bed unit or to downgrade the service with consultant services moving to
Raigmore Hospital, Inverness.
He believes that an option of upgrading
the service to reduce risk should be added. It is one he believes will
have significant support in the local community.
The matter surfaced on Tuesday at a
meeting of the Trust in Wick, when The Highland Council Convener
Councillor Alison Magee, who is a board member, expressed her concern that
the matter had been raised at the meeting without prior notification and
that there was no option for expanding services.
Councillor Flear said: "I am grateful to
the Convener for highlighting this matter. Like her, I had not idea that
the review of maternity services was going to be raised at this meeting. I
agree entirely that the public must be fully involved in this review
process. The process must be open and transparent. And the options being
considered should not omit an investment in local services by providing
more beds.
"I will be raising the matter at our
next area committee meeting and will be ensuring that our voice is heard
when Professor Calder comes north later this month.
"It is only two years since the last
review of maternity services at Caithness General Hospital and the
arguments that were presented for retaining and developing the unit are as
valid today as they were then. I have no doubt that this is a matter that
will race to the top of the political agenda and one which will generate a
huge amount of community interest in the county."
Send Views Etc
David Flear - Area Convenor for Caithness is
keen to hear from anyone with views about services in the Caithness
General Hospital and will be conveying the information to Professor Calder
when he visits Caithness.
[email protected]
The Demonstration Day
Timetable - Monday 15 December 2003
7.00am, 8.00am, 9.00am - possibly throughout the day
George Bruce Interviews on Moray Firth Radio News
12.00 Noon
Demonstration Begins At Caithness General Hospital
12.01pm
Toot Your Horn Campaign Begins
Motorist are being asked to toot their horns as they pass the
demonstration at Caithness General
12.05pm
Professor Calder Team Arrives Wick Airport
12.15pm
Press Conference At Wick Airport
12.40pm
Professor Calder Team Arrival Expected Caithness General
1.00pm
Council Press Conference At Wick Town Hall
Area Convenor David Flear will lead the press conference with Jenny
Spence, League of Friends, Jamie Stone MSP. George Bruce, Caithness &
North Sutherland Health Forum and two mothers.
Other councillors and interest people likely to attend.
6.00pm
Second Demonstration at Caithness General Hospital
another demonstration to allow for people who were working at Noon
Demonstration15 December 03
Maternity Gets Good Airing On Radio and Television
The visit of Professor Andrew Calder to Wick on Monday 15 December had
a big profile as it gained mentions on Moray Firth Radio, BBC Radio
Scotland, BBC Scotland Television News. Repeat mentions on several
news broadcasts are ensuring the issue is highlighted. With both
Grampian and BBC television crews and local and national press expected to
attend the two press conferences today the evening broadcasts and
tomorrows morning papers are expected to cover the issue homing in on the
issues and the demonstrations supporting retention of consultant led
maternity services in rural areas. like Highlands.
14 December 03
George Bruce - Maternity Interview On MFR Radio - Monday 7.00am, 8.00am,
9.00am
Tune in to Moray Firth Radio to hear George Bruce chairman of the
Caithness & North Sutherland Health Forum being interviewed about the
current Maternity Review to coincide with Professor Calder's visit to
Caithness General Hospital. Listen on radio or on the web by going
to
Moray
Firth Radio Web site and click on Listen. the broadcast may
be on later in the day as developments happen in Wick with the various
press conferences and demonstrations at the Caithness General Hospital.
13 December 03
Young Mums Groups Ready For Demo
A variety of groups that involve young mothers is likely to arrive
with pushchairs and prams on Monday. Several groups from around
Caithness intend to be represented at the Noon Demonstration with several
intending to attend both the noon and 6.00pm demos. Anyone who has
seen the pictures of Baby shows in the county might realise the potential
for push-chair jams around the hospital. A number of play groups
will be out in force demanding that Maternity services are regarded as a
top priority for the Scottish Executive. As more stories circulate
around the group by mothers of there experiences of awaiting transfer to
Inverness to the consequences of families trying to cope with the journeys
to Inverness or elsewhere. Thee mounting protest in families looks
likely to galvanise more support than almost any other cause in the county
as it crosses all the political boundaries. Young mothers seem as
determined as their more senior relatives in the League of Friends that
this their cause.
13 December 03
League Of Friends Confirm Second Demo at 6.00pm At Caithness General
Hospital
As local feeling continues to rise on the Maternity Services issue
in Caithness confirmation has been given that a second demonstration will
take place at 6.00pm at Caithness General Hospital on Monday 15th.
The first demo will happen to coincide with the arrival of Professor
Calder and his team as part of the review. But as support continues
to pour in for the League of Friends campaign it was confirmed that in
order to allow people who are at work during the day to make their views
known by attending a demonstration the second one would go ahead at
6.00pm.
13 December 03
"We Don't Want Our Maternity Service To be
Invernational"
Posters in Caithness supporting the demonstrations at Caithness
General Hospital on Monday 15 December have turned a current Television
advertising campaign for flights from Inverness airport on its head.
Whilst the TV ad shows how great it is that you can now fly to many places
from Inverness the posters bring home the point that few in the north want
the same service for delivering babies up to 130 miles away.
13 December 03
David Flear Gets Biggest Mail Ever On Maternity Issue
Caithness Area Convenor David Flear is receiving the biggest
correspondence he has ever received on any topic by a huge margin.
Mail is arriving every day by post and email is constantly popping in to
add weight to his arguments. Mail is arriving not just at his home
address but to the Council Offices in Wick from where it is being passed
to him. Councillor Flear intends to pass this correspondence to
Professor Calder as one way of showing the level of support for maternity
services being kept at their current levels in the county. But
Councillor Flear is a strong advocate for improving services and thinks
that the health authorities should be looking at improving services and
not considering downgrading.
13 December 03
Highland Council Press Conference
Caithness Convenor David Flear will lead a Highland Council Press
Conference at Wick Town Hall on Monday 15th at 1.00pm time in the Wick
Town Hall. Councillor Flear
will chair the briefing. He hopes to have available for interview Jamie
Stone, MSP, Jennifer Spence, the campaign leader and chairman of the
Caithness General Hospital League of Friends; George Bruce, chairman of
the Caithness and North Sutherland Health Forum and two mothers, who will
speak to the benefits of consultant-led services at Caithness General
Hospital, Kerry Mackenzie, Thurso, and Elaine Boyle, Wick.
13 December 03
National Press Likely Professor Calder Press Conference
Professor Calder is to hold a short press conference at Wick Airport
shortly after he arrives. with interest in the visit now coming
under intense scrutiny he is likely to face a barrage of questions from
reporters. The John O'Groat Journal devoted most of the front page
to the subject on Friday and had a highly supportive editorial on the
front page showing the massive closing of ranks on this issue.
13 December 03
Toot Your Horn Campaign On Demo Day
Wick is likely to be somewhat noisier than usual from 12 Noon as a
"Toot Your horn " campaign is gets underway for drivers passing the demo
on Monday 15 December. Drivers are briwing asked to toot their
support as they drive past the demo taking place outside the Caithness
General Hospital.
13 December 03
League Of Friends Profile Higher Than Ever
Jenny Spence and her fellow fundraisers find themselves at the
forefront of a growing campaign to retain services in the Caithness
General Hospital. From a small fund-raising group normally donating
items to the hospital they find themselves rocketing towards national
status as they galvanise local groups and support into one campaign to
retain and improve services at their local hospital. This small
group of ladies has in a very few weeks lifted the campaign to heights
previously unknown taking with them politicians local and national, a huge
range of voluntary groups and the general public, galvanising the pent up
anger from previous investigations into their campaign. With a zero
budget (they have refused all monetary assistance) they have depended on
community spirit and determination to drive the campaign forward.
Few campaigns have risen so quickly and with so much involvement at public
meetings. these ladies have read the mood correctly and taken
appropriate action swiftly and with purpose. They are ordinary
wives, mothers and grandmothers. The establishment perhaps needs to
seriously consider not just the mumbo jumbo of risk assessment, financial
management but the human factors before they come to any decision on the
long term future of services like Maternity in the far north.
Experts have been proven wrong on many other topics - and mothers
instincts often proved correct in the face of medical opinion. to a
great extent we are not talking about clinical factors - it is about the
will to provide quality services in rural areas. The League Of
Friends has seen the Writing On The Wall for the hospital and perhaps for
more wide ranging consequences to follow. A cornered mother in
the wild often fights back and it should be remembered they often bite
back. An organised group of them look even more
frightening.....................
12 December 03
Maternity Services Caithness
Issued By Highland Health Services
A group of external assessors will be carrying out an independent
clinical assessment of maternity services in Caithness next week. They
will be meeting with local health professionals, the Scottish Ambulance
Service and with a group of community representatives during a two day
visit.
Professor Andrew Calder, who is leading the clinical assessment team,
says:
"I have now received a great deal of correspondence regarding the
assessment visit. There will be a considerable amount of information to
review and it would be premature to respond to these letters individually
until my colleagues and I have had time to examine them in detail. I would
like in the meantime to thank people for writing to me to express their
views."
Nigel Hobson, Director of Quality and Nursing, says;
"I am confident that the assessment team have an open mind and will
consider all the evidence before them with the utmost professionalism and
objectivity. We have asked the Professor to ensure that the resulting
report is written in a way that is easily understandable as we intend this
to be made public."
12 December 03
Another Obstetrician Resigns At Caithness Maternity
Nigel Hobson, Director of Quality and Nursing, confirmed a report by the
BBC today;
"I regret to confirm that I have just been informed that Dr Harry Olorunda,
Consultant Obstetrician in Caithness General Hospital, has now accepted a
job at another hospital. We have not yet, however, formally received Dr
Olorunda 's resignation, but would expect this in due course.
This news, in addition to the impending departure of Dr Pranab Sarkar,
comes at a particular time, which clearly underlines the urgent need for a
robust plan for the way ahead for maternity services in Caithness.
It may be some time before we are in receipt of Professor Calder's report,
but I give my assurance that we will do everything in our power to support
the current service, until such time that we have clear advice for the
best way of delivering a sustainable future service."
6
December 03
High Noon At Caithness General - Monday 15 December
An unusual site in Caithness is to take place on Monday 15 December
at 12 Noon when a demonstration organised by The League of Friends will
take place outside the Caithness General Hospital. The demonstration ( a
rare thing in Caithness) is to show the strength of feeling about the
possibility of downgrading the Maternity services in the county. The demo
will coincide with the visit of Professor Calder and his team to Caithness
where many people have objected to the fact that he will flly in and not
use an ambulance from Raigmore Hospital in Inverness to get a true picture
of the journey required by pregnant mothers should they require to go
south due to lack of facilities in A downgraded unit in Caithness. with
feelings running high and organisations and individuals coming from Thurso
and other parts this could be one of the biggest protests on the streets
of Wick for quite a few years. Meanwhile Convenor David Flear is still
gathering in letters and emails on the subject to present as evidence as
to local feelings on this matter.
2
December 03
HIGHLAND COUNCIL Welcomes
Change in Direction for West Highland Health Services Project
- 5,900 people - three quarters of all households wrote letters
The Highland Council has warmly
welcomed a decision by NHS Highland to rethink plans for future acute
hospital services in the Belford Hospital, Fort William.
As a result of unprecedented representations from throughout Lochaber, the
Board has agreed that the next phase of the West Highland Project will
bring together a Solutions Group, which will involve key parties to agree
the best possible solution for sustainable and affordable acute services
for the Belford..
Local GP and Vice Convener of The Highland Council Dr Michael Foxley was
asked to address the Highland NHS Board during their discussion in
Inverness today......................
30 November 03
Thurso Meeting Packs
Town Hall
 A large
audience turned out for the meeting organised by the League of Friends of
Caithness General Hospital. Speakers included - Jamie Stone MSP,
David Flear Caithness Area Convenor, George Bruce, chair of Caithness
Health Forum, and councillors Bill Fernie and Graham Smith.
Councillor Donnie Mackay who has been assisting the League of Friends set
up the meetings introduced Phillip Coghill a local farmer as chairman for
the evening.
All speakers essentially took the same line in their speeches emphasising
different points but giving a clear message that they were fully behind
the local community and the League of Friends bid to ensure that Professor
Calder, the Highland Health Board and the Scottish Executive are in no
doubt that local services are what are wanted and not remote "Birthing
Factories" as Councillor Smith termed the so called Centre of Excellence"
idea...........................................more
27 November 03
Rob Gibson MSP Supports Campaign
For Maternity Services
"Use Continental Practice To Support Caithness Maternity"
 SNP list member
for the Highlands and Islands Rob Gibson welcomes the turn out of last
nights (Wednesday 26th of November) public meeting about the downgrading
of Wick Maternity Ward. He will be present at the 15 December
meeting with Prof. Calder in Wick. Rob pledging his support to the
local community said…
“Centralisation of the service in Raigmore would not only jeopardise lives
it would also jeopardise the future sustainability of the area."
He went on to say…
“The downgrading would create a vicious circle as it would make the area
less attractive to young people who wanted to stay here or move here and
could also put off employers from investing here.”
He added….
“It would be non-sensical if the trend is replicated throughout the
Highlands as other European countries are sensitive to retaining and
supporting population in communities far from their capital cities."
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