Stevenson Hails Victory For Maternity Campaign

Following the announcement of plans for birthing units in Fraserburgh and Banff, Banff & Buchan MSP Stewart Stevenson has spoken of his delight at the success of the community-based campaigns in persuading NHS Grampian to rethink their plans for closure of maternity units.

Stewart Stevenson said:

"The mothers-to-be who previously elected to give birth in their communities rather than trek into Aberdeen will continue to be able to do so. That is great news for these mums and their children, and great news for Fraserburgh, Banff and Aboyne, who have fought so hard to retain this service. I congratulate all the mums – and dads – who have driven this change of heart through.

"I suggested that NHS Grampian should look at the birthing units on Skye as the model for redesigned delivery of maternity services as long ago as April last year. At last, they have seen sense and responded positively to local demand.

"Low-risk mothers should never have been considered for transfer to the impersonal, hi-tech, and over-used facilities in Aberdeen. That service is essential for births where there may be higher risk to mother or baby, but is an unneccessary complication for many.

"The redesigned maternity services now proposed will allow all the mums who previously would have given birth in their communities to do so in future. They also provide a non-medicalised, 'family-friendly' service that represents value for money.

"I've been delighted to be able to join campaigners, sometimes in atrocious weather, to promote this outcome and to speak in Parliamentary committees and debates and arrange meetings with Government Ministers and officials. But at the end of the day, it has been the mums who have made the case and have won the fight. Politicians needed their engagement to win these important battles."

Speaking generally about health provision in his Banff & Buchan Constituency, Mr Stevenson continued:

"We have seen a number of unwelcome changes in health provision in Fraserburgh over the last couple of years. While plans for additional services for the elderly and inform represent progress, the withdrawal of on-call GP services from the town and the failure to tackle the chronic shortage of NHS dental services have been body-blows to our community.

"Now that we have achieved a rethink on maternity services, it is essential that NHS Grampian look again at the whole provision of community medical services in the North-east."