Health services for women in Highlands to be reviewed

Commenting on the news that health services for women in the Highlands are to be reviewed, the MP for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, Jamie Stone, said:

"A dialogue is welcome- this has to be a step in the right direction. However, I want to be quite clear about this: for years, I have argued that the consultant-led maternity service based in Caithness General Hospital should never have been downgraded.

"When I was the MSP for the area, the battle to preserve these services in Caithness was fought and won. We can do the same again. I am wary of talk and discussion getting in the way of real action to deliver local services. Now, as the MP for the area, I want to see firm, concrete proposals which will properly address this issue.

"Pregnant mothers should never have to make the long round trip to Inverness and back which is far too risky, particularly in winter weather. The bottom line is that people living in the far north want to see far more mothers giving birth near to where they live. If this means putting extra resources into Caithness General Hospital, then this must be done."

ENDS