North Action Group Contacts
- Caithness
The Belford Action Group - Fort William
Solutions Group - Belford Hospital Report
NHS Highland
Board Members
Maternity Action Team Updates At NHS Highland
Minutes & Agendas Of NHS Highland
31 March 09
North Action Group Wind Up And Hand Over £2499 To Hospital
North
Action Group (NAG) formed by members of the Caithness community to
fight the downgrading of the maternity unit at Caithness General Hospital
finally wound up and handed over the balance of their funds £2499 to the
League of Friends to spend on the maternity unit. The fight to save the
unit from the loss of obstetricians took two and a half years and was
finally won in June 2006. Members of North Action Group continued in
existence to monitor the situation in view of several previous attempts by
the health board to downgrade the Caithness maternity unit. Finally the
group have stood down.
16 June 06
Three New Obstetricians Accept Posts At Caithness General Hospital
North Action Group was pleased to hear this week that three obstetricians
who were offered posts at the maternity unit of Caithness General Hospital
have accepted the offers of employment following interviews. Members of
North Action Group said they would remain as group until staff had been
appointed after their opposition to downgrading of the unit which began in
2003. The group plan to hold meeting in the early Autumn to decide
how to wind up the group and deal with the remaining campaign funds which
flowed in non stop throughout the campaign from groups, businesses and
individuals in Caithness and beyond. This was the third time that
the health authorities had attempted to convince people in the north that
the unit should be downgraded and each time the campaigns were bigger than
the previous one.
26 March 06
Latest Thinking On Maternity In Highland
This link will open the Intouch magazine produced by NHS Highland and this
spring issue has several pieces on Maternity issues and shows how
maternity issues for rural families are now being thought about.
17 January 06
Next Meeting Of North Action Group
Thursday 19 January 2006 7.00pm at Assembly Rooms Wick
Although the maternity issue seems to be resolved the North Action
Group decided they would not dissolve until the obstetricians for the unit
were actually in place.
17 January 06
THANKS TO CAITHNESS & SUTHERLAND MATERNITY
ACTION TEAM
The Caithness & Sutherland Maternity
Action Team, meeting in Wick on Friday 13th
January, unanimously welcomed NHS Highland’s
decision to seek to appoint three
substantive consultants to maintain and
develop the service. It was agreed that
this brought the work of C&SMAT to an end
and co-chairs David Alston and George Bruce
thanked all who had participated in the
process. David Alston, as chair of the
North Highland Community Health Partnership,
stressed the importance of maintaining the
dialogue with the community and between the
professional groups, which had been built up
during the consultation, and undertook to
report back on progress to a smaller group
of clinicians, users, NAG members and
representatives of the Highland Council and
CASE. All agreed on the importance of
advertising the posts widely, making them as
attractive as possible and promoting the
benefits of living in Caithness, using local
knowledge and linking with other initiatives
wherever possible.
Although the group work has come to an end, a number
of issues have been identified which will be taken forward by the Board of
NHS and by the Community Health Partnership, including the issues of
patient and relatives accommodation in Inverness and the capacity for
emergency retrieval of mothers and children from Wick to Raigmore.
1 December 05
North Action Group
Delighted At NHS Highland Decision On
Maternity Services
After Two Years Of Campaigning NAG Members
Heard Last Night Of the Decision
Members
of the North Action Group at their meeting
on Wednesday evening were delighted to hear
of the recommendation to go before NHS
Highland's Board Meeting on 6th December
that authority be given to seek to appoint
three substantive obs. & gynae consultants
for Caithness General Hospital
The third review of the service at CGH
has taken some time but NAG are pleased that
at its conclusion attention has been paid to
the clearly expressed wishes of the local
community.
NAG thank the members of the local
community and businesses for their moral and
financial support which greatly strengthened
our determination and ability to mount a
successful Campaign. It truly was a
community inspired Campaign. Almost
£10,000 of donations flowed in to the North
Action Group campaign over the past two
years in an unprecedented surge of community
support from individuals and businesses both
large and small.
The outcome of the Campaign is a vivid
illustration of successful partnership
working, in this instance between ourselves,
the Highland Council, CASE and supporters
from within the local medical community.
This latter support from GPs, locum
consultants and midwives was crucial to the
outcome.
NAG thank the Highland Council and
Highlands & Islands Enterprise for the
£60,000 put forward to enable the socio
economic review to be undertaken. The result
gave considerable support to the community's
views and was a major plank in the
Campaigns' case as it indicated the
possibility of considerable difficulty in
recruiting staff to local industries if the
Maternity Unit was downgraded and this could
subsequently create an economic downturn in
the area.
NAG also thank the Highland Council for
facilitating their attendance at meetings
with MSPs visiting the area. NAG
appreciate the difficult task the Board has
to discharge and take this opportunity of
thanking them for listening and acting upon
the views expressed by the local community.
This will help to restore public faith in
NHS consultation processes and in the Board.
The last two years have been traumatic
for the staff in the Maternity unit and NAG
on behalf of the community thank them for
their professionalism and dedication during
what was a very difficult period for them.
We look forward to stable local Obs. &
Gynae provision in the years ahead to the
benefit of future users of these services.
North Action Group will decide when to
disband once they see the final details for
the Maternity and Gynae Services.
Caithness Maternity Services -
From NHS Highland
The Board of NHS Highland is to be asked
next week to give the go ahead to recruiting
three permanent consultant obstetricians
posts based in Caithness.
Chairman of NHS Highland, Garry Coutts,
said it was time to draw a line under the
exercise: "When senior doctors raised
serious concerns about the service the board
was duty bound to fully investigate what
they were saying. We have pulled out all the
stops to try to find new and innovative ways
of providing a service that would get the
support of everyone; GP's, hospital doctors,
midwives, and the public but have not been
successful.
I am now keen to draw a line under the
exercise which, I know, has been unsettling
to all concerned. Trying to employ
substantive obstetricians to be based in
Caithness but with a wider role of
developing maternity services for all of our
rural areas will, I hope, give confidence
back to the community and help us provide a
service we can all be proud of.
I would like to thank everyone who has
contributed to the review for all of their
hard work."
Roger Gibbins, Chief Executive, agreed:
"We have been talking about this service for
a long time now and it is time for action.
It had been envisaged last year that it was
possible to develop a new service but that
has not been possible and we need to move
on. We still need to modernise the service
and find a sustainable solution. The
appointment of permanent consultants will
stabilise the service and will provide local
leadership for its future development. We
don't know if we will be successful, but we
will be pulling out all the stops to get the
right people."
Caithness Councillors Welcome Decision
Councillor David Flear the area convenor
who along with other Caithness councillors
has stood solidly behind the North Action
Group campaign welcomed the decision of NHS
Highland. All Caithness councillors
have been behind the campaign joining in
marches demonstrations and much more.
Three Caithness councillors were members of
North Action Group Bill Fernie, Tom Jackson
and Graham Smith but everyone has been
involved in speaking at meetings and in
their own communities backing the campaign.
Caithness Maternity Service Saved! -
Rob Gibson MSP Praises North Action Group's
Stance
Rob Gibson SNP MSP for Highlands and Islands
has welcomed NHS Highland Health Board's
plans to recruit permanent consultants for
Wick Maternity services. He said, 'Finally
NHS Highland has agreed with campaigners
that a consultant-led maternity service is
needed in the Far North. This has taken
several years to achieve and it can be the
start of modernising and eventually
demedicalising more of the birthing
process.' 'It signals confidence in
the midwife led services with consultant
back up. I am immensely proud of the
coherent arguments of the North Action Group
that are backed up by the findings of the
Kerr Report that guides Health policy
throughout Scotland.' Rob Gibson
22 October 05
More Support For Maternity Campaign From The Weigh
Inn Staff In Thurso
Support
for the north Action Group's fight to save consultant led maternity and
gynae services was given another boost by when John Fairweather, the
management and staff of the
Weigh Inn, Thurso held a raffle in
aid of the North Action Group's Maternity Campaign. All prizes were kindly
donated by the
Weigh Inn and they raised £123.50.
24/7 badges are still available here and can be bought in the bar. Iain
Ednie left and John Fairweather of the Weigh Inn are pictured here handing
over the cheque to Karen Munro of North Action Group.
North Action Group are continuing to have regularly meetings to discuss
the latest developments that are mainly surrounding the Maternity Action
Team set up by NHS highland to try to find away forward. NAG members
are disappointed at the extremely slow progress pointing out the North
Action Group was formed nearly two years ago in 2003 when the Calder
report on Caithness General Maternity and Gynae services was published.
This is the third time in the past few years that the Health Board have
reviewed the services with a view to downgrading and each time the
Caithness and Sutherland populations have protested louder than the
previous time. The review process via the Maternity Action Team has
been beset with problems from poor administration, badly timed meetings,
lack of communication to sub group members and the departure of the
temporary staff member appointed to run the the process of meetings and
reports. Meeting are back on track but there is still no end in site
to the process. North Action Group members are as determined as ever to
continue to campaign for the 24/7 cover not to be removed. The NAG
committee (Name was well chosen we think) would like to thank everyone
from individuals, local businesses, local voluntary groups and
Highland Council for their continuing support in terms of donations and a
wide range of other services from meeting rooms to paper and copying and
much more. Turn outs to public meetings have been excellent and no
doubt there will be more to come. Contact details for North Action
Group can be found on the
North Action Group web site or in the
Eye On Maternity section on this
web site. Donations for the campaign can be sent to the chairman of
North Action Group - George Bruce. Items for the web site on
the maternity issue can be sent to the North Action Group Press Officer -
Bill Fernie
[email protected]
16 September 05
New Leaflet On Caithness Maternity Issue From
North Action Group
North
Action Group continue to fight to retain a 24/7 consultant led maternity
and gynae service at Caithness General Hospital and this week they
launched another phase in their campaign. The new leaflet makes
the case yet again and shows the growing support from the medical
community with many quotes from GP's and obstetricians. The
leaflet will be delivered to all houses in Caithness and north
Sutherland thanks to the continuing financial support from many local
groups, businesses and individuals. The back of the leaflet can be
folded over or cut out to make car or window sticker.
Midwife ‘did not have access to specialist back-up’
- The Herald
Ms Riach told the inquiry nothing more could have been done to save Chloe
but admitted midwives at Inverclyde Hospital did not have access to
specialist back-up. She said: "You don't have access to consultants after
5pm or at weekends and the nearest consultant-led unit is the Royal
Alexandra at Paisley.
MIDWIFE: I DIDN'T HAVE SKILLS TO SAVE CHLOE
- Daily Record
Report on the fatal accident enquiry at Greenock's Inverclyde Royal
Hospital in the Daily Racord today - when a midwife claimed she did not
have the skills to prevent the death of a new born baby and no consultants
were available. North Action Group in Caithness continues to campaign to
retain the consultant led service maternity and gynae services at
Caithness General Hospital and sees this as an example of what might
happen if 24/7 cover is not available to mothers in the far north with
over 100 miles to Raigmore hospital in Inverness with transfers taking
between three and four hours by road.
26 August 05
We Just Cant Let these Things Happen
Report From the Women and Health Maternity Service Provision Policy Group
of the
Scottish Women's Convention.
The report was launched yesterday and North Action Group's campaign in
Caithness over the threatened downgrading of the maternity unit is
highlighted. The Scottish Women's Convention is a policy group
funded by the Scottish Executive. The report is in Pdf format.
Maternity Issue Gets More Publicity As Issue Rises
Again Following the Report Yesterday
BBC
Evening Times
The Herald
Elsewhere
Greenock Wants Maternity Unit Back As Still Birth
Rate Rises People still
unhappy following consultants move to Paisley
MP's Urged To Back Maternity Campaign
- Cumbria
Protest Call On Maternity Unit Threat
- The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital
Trust had looked at closing all of Shropshire's GP-led maternity units in
a bid to save more than £500,000, it was revealed last month.
26 May 05
KERR REPORT GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR HIGHLAND
A National report into the future of the NHS is "just what the doctor
ordered" according NHS Highland chairman Garry Coutts.
Welcoming Professor David Kerr's report he explained, "This report is
exactly the shot in the arm we were hoping for. It gives the strongest
possible endorsement for keeping health services as local as possible.
It challenges the view that to get good health care everything should be
centralised into huge hospitals in our major cities and maps out a bright
future for GP's, nurses, other health professionals and local hospitals. I
hope everyone in the Highlands from patients to surgeons and district
nurses to hospital porters can get behind this vision for the future and
help us make sure it is delivered".
Roger Gibbins, Chief Executive of NHS
Highland, was a member of Professor Kerr's Advisory Group and co-chaired
the Action Team looking at remote and rural health care. "The
work that we have done highlights that the health service needs to change
if we are to tackle the challenges of the future. More and more
the health service is responding to people with chronic disease -
diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, asthma - that we may not be able
to cure but we can help to control. The numbers of people with these
diseases in our communities is increasing as the population is aging and
this will become a huge challenge for the future. At the moment we tend to
react when people's conditions become critical, often with emergency
admissions to hospital. We cannot go on like this - we simply won't be
able to cope and we won't be serving patients well. Kerr recommends a
completely different way of providing health care for people with chronic
diseases. By identifying who these patients are, working with them in
primary care to help them manage their conditions
and by providing health care locally in the least intensive settings we
can vastly improve the quality of service for these people."
Roger Gibbins continued, "I am
particularly pleased with the emphasis this national report has given to
rural health care. A fifth of the population live in rural Scotland and
Professor Kerr recognises that urban health care solutions will not fit
these areas. The report highlights the role of the Rural General Hospital
in both responding to emergencies and providing planned care. The report
draws on the work of the Solutions Group and our colleagues in West
Highland should be congratulated on the influence their work has had"
25 May 05
North Action Group Launch Supporters Badge
North Action Group have
produced a supporters badge to both promote the ongoing campaign for
maternity services in Caithness General Hospital and to help raise funds
for the campaign. Badges will be on sale in various shops and at the
Continental Market on Saturday and Sunday in Wick
25 May 05
The Kerr Report On Scottish Health Services
Watch A video about the Report
The Full Report
National Framework For Service Change
The Maternity section
from the report (on Caithness.org for ease of reference as
the whole report ina Pdf file may take along time to download unless you
are using broadband)
25 May 05
Gibson comments on Kerr Report
Highlands and Islands MSP Rob Gibson has commented on the
publication on the Kerr Report. Mr Gibson said..... "Long
suffering staff in remote and rural areas have known for years that there
is a need for a specilised faculty for professional support. The final
report of RARRAI (published last year) confirmed this. I wonder whether
the minister agrees with Professor Kerr's proposals on page 43 of his
report for a 'virtual school for rural health care' and how long will it
be until such a school is opened."
MR Gibson continued...
"It is frustrating that given the amount of evidence collected and the
amount of consultation that went on in preparation of this report that we
will have to wait until the Autumn to debate on this report . The people
of Scotland deserve to have these issues debated as soon as possible I see
no reason why we should have to wait."
He ended..."Their was little in the way of detail over what would happen
over maternity wards, save an oblique mention of the continuation of the
Egams strategy. Therefore I shall be questioning the Health Minister over
the Caithness maternity issue."
24 April 05
The case of
Two Polish Consultants Dr Dabek and Dr Samberger
Two polish consultants who were dismissed by NHS highland from their posts
at Caithness General have had their case heard by the General Medical
Council and as has been reported in some newspapers been told that NHS
highland presented n evidence to back up their dismissal and that no
complaints had been made by any patients treated by the doctors despite
NHS Highland contacting every patient. Despite no evidence being
presented and the case being dismissed by the GMC the two doctors still
find it hard to get employment as NHS Highland had contacted other health
authorities and the story was widely reported in the press and on the
Internet. Unfortunately the story has not had as large publicity as
the first story and leave the doctors in an impossible position.
That is why the section on there positions is being placed on
Caithness.org An injustice and the fact that Caithness might have
retained the services of two experienced consultants seems worthy of more
public acknowledgement. Further the damage done to both men and
their families is difficult to fully calculate. It is to be hoped
that they will return to employment and help women having their babies.
In some way perhaps the items that will now begin to appear on this web
site will assist in moving things forward to redress the balance of
adverse publicity on the case especially as there was no case to answer.
A highly visible campaign to save consultant led services was being run by
the North Action Group and these two doctors ended up in the middle of it
all and the publicity at the time was much higher than might normally have
been the case. But this does not change the fact that they have done
nothing wrong as was confirmed by the General Medical Council findings.
They came to Caithness General Hospital in good faith expecting decent
treatment and they did not get it. The local community in Caithness
has been very supportive of their position and we will echo that on the
web site.
19 April 05
What Has changed In Four Years?
From Caithness Committee Minutes 26 February 2001
3. FUTURE OF CAITHNESS GENERAL HOSPITAL MATERNITY UNIT
(See Minutes of Caithness Committee dated 29th January, 2001)
The Convener intimated that a review of Maternity Services in the far
north is ongoing, and that a Committee had been set up to act as a liaison
with the public in this connection. During discussion Members intimated
that they felt that Maternity and Gynaecology Services in Caithness were
under threat and intimated that they desired an improvement of maternity
services, gynaecological services and other specialist services under the
review. Members expressed concern that the review of the Hospital Services
was being carried out on the basis of cost rather than health, and were
advised by the Convener that the review was conducted wholly on the basis
of health and not cost. During discussion the following additional points
were made: -
1. Centralising maternity services would mean individual first time
mothers would not have their extended family around them at the time of
childbirth, thus important family ties would be severed.
2. A reduction in Gynaecological
Services would mean a reduced need for anaesthetists in the area which
would have an impact on the number of other consultants in the area and
possibly a consequent reduction in the number of operations carried out
locally.
3. It may be difficult attract young
couples into Caithness to live, if Caithness is not well served by
Maternity Services. This would have an effect on the local economy.
4. The situation in the health
service in Caithness should be made attractive in order to attract
aspiring consultants.
5. With an increase in recruitment in
construction and manufacturing industries in Caithness it is not logical
to reduce services at the Hospital.
The Committee agreed that there
should be a united campaign against a reduction of services at the
Hospital in Caithness. They noted that the matter was to be considered by
the full Highland Council at their next meeting, and requested that the
Convener and the Area Manager draw up a written representation abhorring a
reduction in services locally for submission to the appropriate authority.
21 February 05
Caithness and Sutherland Maternity Action Team
The Caithness and Sutherland Maternity Action Team has been set up by NHS
Highland to look at a way forward for Maternity Services at Caithness
General Hospital. The first meeting agreed on the method to take forward
the review and set up a number of sub groups to look at specific areas.
The group has representatives from NHS Highland, GP's, Medical Staff
(Consultants and Midwives), Councillors, North Action Group and the
ambulance service.
11 February 05
Caithness Maternity & Gynae Services
- A Pdf file
This is the document setting out what the Maternity Action Team will do
and was set out by NHS highland
16 November 04
Response Of MR Brian Valentine Consultant
Obstetrician & Gynaecologist To the Public consultation on Maternity
Services At Caithness General
9 November 04
Shaping The Future Of The NHS
Want Your Say?
Book A Place At Inverness Meeting Soon
The independent expert group looking at the future of NHS Scotland is
holding a series of regional meetings with patients and medical
professionals round the country in December.
The Kerr Group, chaired by cancer specialist Professor David Kerr, will be
taking views to help them draw up a national framework to guide future
decisions on how the NHS is run.
Professor Kerr said: "We need to plan carefully if we are to provide a
service that provides maximum benefit for patients and their families. I
am well aware of the concerns there are in some areas, but our job in the
National Framework Advisory Group is to develop proposals that could be
applicable across Scotland. "The advisory group won't be making
recommendations on local service change. Instead, we've been tasked with
drawing up a blueprint for the health service that will set out shared
principles for service improvement. "We hope this will help
Ministers to reach a view about how health care can be best delivered in
Scotland. "We are issuing a newsletter to all NHS staff and to a
wide cross section of the public. People should look out for it in their
GP surgery or in their local hospital. "We will also be holding
local meetings in a number of venues across Scotland. But we are conscious
that not everyone can make it to these venues. That's why we have already
met with interested parties in other smaller meetings, and we will
continue to do so according to demand. "All views will be taken into
account by the advisory group as we prepare our plans. We expect to report
to the Minister in the Spring of 2005." Health Minister Andy Kerr
said: "We need to take a hard look at how the NHS can continue to provide
top-quality health services in the future. "Patients expect that
their care will be personal to their needs, as local as possible, as
specialised as necessary and of the highest quality. We are totally
committed to delivering that. "It is clear that long-term decisions
need to be informed by a national framework, built on the best evidence.
"That is why we have established an independent advisory group, chaired by
renowned cancer specialist Professor David Kerr, to lead work to develop
this framework. "I want to see as wide a discussion as possible so
that the advisory group can deliver a bold and confident vision. That
means listening carefully to frontline staff, patients, carers and the
general public."
The public meetings (all 7-9 pm) will be held at:
Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, December 1
Inverness Drumossie Hotel, December 2
Edinburgh Usher Hall, December 6
Dundee Caird Hall, December 13
Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre, December 15
Because of space limitations, places at each venue will be provided on a
first-come-first served basis.
Those wishing to attend one of these meetings should write to: Freepost
Plus, RLRS-EHHE-JTXC, Room GE16, St. Andrew's House, Regent Road,
Edinburgh EH1 DIG, or email:
[email protected]
Comments by post or email are also welcome.
In addition to the public meetings, the Group have also produced a leaflet
seeking views, which will be distributed throughout the NHS for staff and
patients.
New
Maternity Model Being Proposed By NHS Highland
A new model for Maternity services is being put together by NHS
highland Health Board. NHS Highland Chairman, Garry Coutts said: ‘We
know that the prospect of only a minority of mums being able to deliver in
Caithness was one that the public could not support. In response, we
have begun to look at a model of care that will increase the opportunity
of having your baby in Caithness. I hope local people will work with us
to develop this model fully. A full report detailing this proposal and a
way forward will be put to the NHS Highland Board meeting on December 7th.
Workshops will be held in Caithness in the coming weeks to help
inform the committee report.’
Highland Councillors have been advised that a new model is emerging which
could enable not only low risk, but also medium risk births to take place
safely at Caithness General Hospital, Wick, while offering other
specialist service enhancements.
This could result in up to two-thirds of all births taking place
locally.
Councillors are asked to welcome this move and to seek Highland NHS
Board's agreement to pursue the development of such a model involving the
clinical community, the Council and other partners as appropriate and with
community involvement. Until the new model is introduced, the Council want
the current level of services to be maintained.
12 October 04
Private Agenda At The Mill Theatre, Thurso Tuesday Night
7:84
Theatre Company acted out the words of real people interviewed over the
summer months in a new play by Lorenzo Mele. Using the words of real
people from several campaigns including the maternity campaign in
Caithness and the Skye Bridge it mixed the real experiences with the
official reports and jargon to make the topics of health and education
come alive with the disappointments of teachers, nurses, patients and
others at the failures of the Public finance initiatives and PPP to
deliver services.
Gesture Maternity Politics? Health Board Meetings In Caithness
They Sent A Full Team To Convince Caithness Folk Of Need To End Consultant
Maternity Services
They were statutorily bound to hold public meetings for a major change in
health services. Well they cam and did hold the meetings but as the
Rev bill Wallace said a few weeks ago the exercise was pointless.
The board already knew what people in Caithness wanted so they used the
opportunity to tell everyone why they could not have what they wanted.
Was that consultation or was it a lecture in the vain of "We Know What's
Good For You" Certainly plenty of finger jabbing and pointing at the
audience did not seem to win many friends. Councillors David Flear
and Bill Fernie at different meetings asked to have a consultation group
similar to the one that has now settled the Belford Hospital debacle in
Fort William. However
Health Board chairman Gary Coutts refused to defer the
decision beyond the date already set for the end of the consultation on 9
November with a board decision to follow in December. The public
have until 9 November to send their views to the Health Board.
Meantime on the Caithness Maternity Front
Public Meetings Dates & Times
North Action Group members are in action in Wick and Thurso today
gathering signatures for the petition to the Scottish Parliament, handing
out leaflets advising of the dates and times of next weeks public meetings
called by the Health Board. The postcard reply campaign is going so well
that almost all the outlets for the cards are reporting they have run
out. North Action Group have ordered another batch that will be available
by the end of next week. Meantime anyone can still write a letter to the
board. NAG expects that the public response to the boards consultation to
be one of the largest ever seen in the Highlands as the public have
responded well to the postcard campaign. Wherever possible NAG is
collecting the cards in for transmission to the Health Board to save
postage costs that will be charged to the group is sent via the post.
4 October 04
West Highland Health Services Solutions Group Final
Report
the report is now available on the Health Board web site and although it
is about the Belford and Lorn hospitals there may well be implications
from some of the report for Caithness.
30 September 04
TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE FOR ALL PUBLIC EVENTS TO DISCUSS MATERNITY
SERVICES IN CAITHNESS
NHS Highland has confirmed that there are still tickets available for all
six public events they have arranged for next week to discuss the future
of Maternity Services in Caithness.
Gill Keel is the Head of Public
Involvement for NHS Highland and is making the arrangements for the
meetings. " We still have tickets available for all the events," she said,
" so anyone who wants to come along should get in touch now. People with
tickets will be given guaranteed entrance to the event but anyone who
turns up on the day will be allowed in, as long as there is space at the
venue."
She explained that the events will be
run on the same sort of lines as the 'Question Time' programme. "Pennie
Taylor, a former health correspondent for BBC Scotland, will be
facilitating the discussion. The aim is to have a two way discussion
between members of the local communities and representatives of NHS
Highland."
Tuesday, 5th October: 7:00 - 9:00pm
in the Town Hall, Thurso
Wednesday, 6th October: 12:00 - 2:00pm in The Ross Institute, Halkirk
Wednesday, 6th October: 7:00 - 9:00pm in the Assembly Rooms, Wick
Thursday, 7th October: 12:00 - 2:00pm Community Centre, Lybster
Thursday, 7th October: 7:00 - 9:00pm in the Assembly Rooms, Wick
Friday, 8th October: 12:00 - 2:00pm the Strathy Village Hall, Strathy
Tickets can be obtained, free of
charge, from Jan Robertson, telephone (01463) 706802. Tickets will be
issued on a first come, first served basis, and people are free to choose
which meeting they wish to attend.
The 'panel' members at the Thurso
event will include Garry Coutts, Chairman of NHS Highland; David Alston,
Chairman of the North Highland Community Health partnership; Sheena Craig,
General manager of the North Highland Community Health partnership; and Dr
Russel Lees, Consultant Obstetrician.
20 September 04
MSP Maureen MacMillan Renews Calls To Rotate Wick Based
Consultants
Highlands and Islands Labour MSP Maureen Macmillan has written to NHS
Highland regarding the ongoing consultation on maternity services in
Caithness and renewing her call for consultants to be rotated between Wick
and Inverness.
In the letter Mrs Macmillan said, “It seems to me that a safe consultant
led service could be maintained if there were much closer working between
consultants at Raigmore and Wick. An option which has not appeared in your
consultation documents is one that I raised with Professor Calder when I
met him in Wick and which I raised in the Parliamentary debate on 11 March
–
namely that consultants should rotate between Raigmore and Wick so that
the Wick based consultants would see enough cases to keep up their skills
and there would be a greater opportunity for professional networking.
Professor Calder went on to mention the possibility of consultants working
aross the two sites in his report. Mrs Macmillan added, “In replying
to the debate on 11 March Health Minister Malcolm Chisholm said
specifically that NHS Highland should explore this option, an opinion he
continues to hold. I realise that the proposal will require an increased
number of consultants and change in working practices, but it should make
it easier to attract suitable people to Wick and sustain their skills,
thereby maintaining the consultant led service.”
Speaking today Mrs Macmillan commented, “What is important is that every
possible solution to the Caithness maternity issue is examined so that the
consultant led services can be maintained at the Caithness Maternity Unit.
I have never been one for gesture politics but I am interested in
constructive progress. I have been in dialogue with the Health Minister
regarding this issue on several occasions now and will continue to do all
within my power to deliver a final solution acceptable to the people of
Caithness.”
16 September 04
New Locum Consultant Obstertician & Gynaecologist
Dr H.R. van Huyssteen, MB.Ch.B., FRCOG, M.Med (O&G) took up the post of
Locum Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist at Caithness General
Hospital on Monday 13 September 2004. Dr van Huyssteen, who has lived and
practised private obstetrics and gynaecology in South Africa for 22 years,
has taken up the post initially for one month: “I have been working as
Locum Consultant in hospitals around the UK for the past 18 months. My
special interests include management of obstetric wards, labour suite,
colposcopy and vaginal operations.
I have just spent four months in Monklands and Wishaw Hospitals and
because of my comprehensive experience am looking forward to plough back
some of my knowledge in the Caithness area. I hope that it will be
reciprocally beneficial to us all.
I am keen to explore some of the particular issues that a rural hospital
like Caithness General has to offer.”
Dr. van Huyssteen joins Dr. Valentine and Dr. Stanczuk who are currently
working as locums in Gynae at Caithness General. NHS Highland are
currently advertising for long-term locums.
13 September 04
GIBSON ISSUES CHALLENGE TO STONE AND MACMILLAN
'Show your commitment to Caithness Maternity' is Rob Gibson's
challenge to Jamie Stone and Maureen Macmillan.
The SNP MSP challenge comes after the Liberal Democrat MSP for Caithness
and Sutherland and Easter Ross and Labour list MSP for the Highlands and
Islands have yet to sign Dr Jean Turner's parliamentary motion that calls
for a moratorium on centralisation of NHS services in Scotland, until a
national strategy is formed.
Mr Gibson said...
"This is a motion that deserves the support of all MSP's in Scotland let
alone those in the Highlands and Islands. The threat of downgrading and
centralisation touches the majority of people who live in the remote areas
of the region and it would be nothing short of a disgrace if it was not
supported by those MSP's who represent the area and claim to support 24/7
maternity services in Caithness."
Text of Jean Turner's motion and list
of signatories taken on 13/9/4
S2M-1656 Dr Jean Turner:
Centralisation of Health Services in Scotland -
That the Parliament is concerned about the centralisation of health
services across Scotland; believes that there must be a clear national
strategy for the future structure of the NHS in Scotland, and therefore
calls on the Scottish Executive to suspend all planned reorganisations
while a national strategy is developed involving the public and health
professionals. Supported by: Mr David Davidson, Christine Grahame,
Bruce Crawford, Murray Tosh, John Swinburne, Campbell Martin, Mrs
Nanette Milne, Stewart Stevenson, Alex Neil, Tommy Sheridan, Mr Stewart
Maxwell, Alex Fergusson, Bill Aitken, Rob Gibson, Eleanor Scott,
Jim Mather, Mr Bruce McFee, Shona Robison, Ms Rosemary Byrne, Tricia
Marwick, Mary Scanlon, Fiona Hyslop, Chris Ballance, Patrick Harvie,
Miss Annabel Goldie, Robin Harper*, Nicola Sturgeon*, Fergus Ewing*
11 September 04
Caithness Business Club Meeting
On Maternity
The Caithness
Business Club held an open meeting to debate the possible affect on the
far north economy and local businesses. David Dunnet chairman
introduced speakers Rob Gibson SNP MSP, David Flear Caithness area
convenor, George Bruce, chairman of North Action Group, Vice chair of NHS
Highland Health Board, councillor David Alston and Mary Scanlon
conservative MSP. Jamie Stone MSP sent apologies as he was attending
a family wedding in Ireland and John Thurso MP also sent apologies.
10 September 04
Nervous MSPs demand freeze on hospital cuts
- Herald
19 August 04
Mortgaged up to the
eyeballs? "Private Agenda" A New Play By 7:84 Theatre
North Action Group's Message To Have National Coverage In Theatres All
Over Scotland
North Action Group Hails 7:84 Theatre Group's Latest Production - "When
they start writing plays about you the message is getting through."
Lorenzo Mele's directorial debut for 7:84 Theatre
Company puts Scotland's public services under the spotlight.
Highlighted in the play covering issues surrounding current changes in
health services will be the growing campaign to save Caithness
Maternity services. North Action Group is delighted to have been
able to supply input to this new play which will feature the grassroots
campaign. North Action Group will supply material to be handed out
to audiences all over Scotland about the Caithness maternity issue.
The play which tackles several controversial topics is likely to raise the
public profile to the top of the politicians agenda. This well known
prestigious theatre group is well known for tackling issues important to
people and their communities
What is it really like working in Scotland's public
services today? Will the much heralded Private Finance Initiatives
sweeping across Scotland save the day or sink the nation into debt?
Who better to answer these questions than those at the
heart of the matter?
The campaigners and teachers, pupils, midwives,
doctors, porters, nurses, technicians, accountants and senior managers
toiling in our public services have created Private Agenda. Based
entirely on true stories gathered during interviews in 2004, 7:84 Theatre
Company's Artistic Director, Lorenzo Mele, has travelled across Scotland
to go beyond the jargon and discovers that the truth really is stranger
than fiction.
This is a surreal and maddening journey that starts
with a trip over the Bridge to Skye, uncovers corporate cuts in
Caithness, finds fighting in Fort William and pillaging in Perth's
Royal Infirmary. Private Agenda goes behind the scenes at the new
Edinburgh Royal Infirmary and examines the blueprints of the new schools
popping up on every corner, in every town.
17 August 04
Petition At Scottish Parliament
If You agree hop over and sign the petition -
The petitioner requests that the Scottish Parliament urges the Scottish
Executive to ensure the provision of acute 24hr a day all year round
consultant-led services across Scotland, including rural communities.
13 August 04
Caithness Minister Bill Wallace Hits Out At Current Shambles Over
Maternity
“NHS Highland prompt action in dismissing unsatisfactory staff is to
be welcomed. However,the current shambles over the Maternity services
shouldn’t be allowed to be an excuse for down-grading the Unit at
Caithness General. The public are clear about the type of Health Service
they want. The Government, to their credit, have invested much new money
into the NHS. In the light of that it is unthinkable that the
service for the future should be less than in previous years.
4 August 04
SSP Letter Challenges Health Board Members
Ahead Of Public Consultation Announcements
Luke Ivory the SSP spokesman for
Caithness & Sutherland has challenged Health
Board members in a letter issued directly to
them. Mr Ivory challenges the
centralisation mentality and appeals
directly to Health Board members to reject
the proposals being put forward in the
consultation paper. Mr Ivory claims
"SSP members have been dismayed by the level
of misinformation emanating from your own
officials, false statistics and pressure on
employees to remain silent." The
Scottish Socialist Party are one aof a
growing list of political organisations,
churches, trade unions , businesses, Council
CASE, HIE and numbers of the local
population in highland rejecting the Health
Board proposals about to be included in the
statutory consultation to last three months.
4 August 04
Closure of Wick Maternity Unit Would Be ‘tip
of iceberg’ Claims Caithness Presbytery
‘All rural hospitals would be under threat.’
Members of Caithness Presbytery, the
largest membership organisation in
Caithness, are extremely concerned about the
future of maternity services at Caithness
General Hospital. A
report written by the Reverend Bill
Wallace, Minister of Pulteneytown and
Thrumster Church, Wick says that the so
called public ‘consultations’ held by
successive Health Service management groups
have one thing in common. They have shown
that there is, in fact, no need to consult
the public – there is a near unanimous view
in the community that the retention of a
Consultant led maternity service is the only
acceptable option.
1 August 04
North Action Group Launch Supporters T-Shirt In
Maternity Campaign
North Action Group
leading the protest over the possible downgrading of Caithness General
Maternity Unit launched a supporters T-shirt on Saturday at Wick Gala's
Fair In the Square. NAG committee members set up two fund raising stalls
at the fair and launched the new T-shirt. The stalls had a range of fund
raising initiatives on the stalls and the team took the opportunity to
hand out leaflets and gain more signatures for the petition now spreading
out across the north of Scotland. The stalls raised over £500. T-shirts
cost £8 and can be ordered from the committee.
24 June 04
North Action Group Demo Took Debate On Maternity To MSP's In Edinburgh
Several MSP's mainly from opposition parties came over to speak to members
of North Action Group outside the parliament building at the Lawnmarket,
Edinburgh. North Action Group members and supporters reiterated why
they were demonstrating. Convenor David Flear joined North Action
Group for the demo making four local councillors in Edinburgh including
Graham Smith, Tom Jackson and Bill Fernie who had earlier contacted all
126 MSP's inviting them to meet the group on the day. Two MSP's
mentioned Caithness General during First Ministers question time that day.
NAG members Chairman George, vice-chair Aelex Bain and press officer Bill
Fernie all gave interviews to Television and Radio stations.
7 June 04
North Action Group Dance Raises Over £1000 For
Maternity Fight
The organisers
of the dance held on Friday in the Waterfront were delighted to have
raised over £1000 to be added to the growing fighting fund in aid of the
campaign to retain consultant led services at Caithness General Hospital's
maternity unit. North Action Group are to take the campaign to
Edinburgh when a large group will assemble outside the Scottish Parliament
at the Mound in Edinburgh. Group members are being supported by MSP
Jamie Stone during their visit. A final total will be announced
shortly.