Born in 1946 and brought up in Cupar, Fife, I was educated at the local school - 
by Jamie Buchan, The Press & Journal
North-east politicians are being urged to rally together and show their support for a closure-threatened maternity hospital.
Delivery ward campaigners in Fraserburgh have urged MSP Stewart Stevenson to put pressure on Scotland's health minister to reject plans to close four Aberdeenshire baby units. Mr Stevenson pledged yesterday to speak with other MSPs from the area to try and drum up cross-party backing for the Broch campaign group.
He wants them to persuade Health Minister Andy Kerr to retain the service, which locals have been battling to save for more than a year. Mr Kerr is expected to deliver his verdict on the future of the Fraserburgh unit, as well as wards at Aboyne, Banff and Huntly, later this year.
Mr Stevenson was urged to help when he met the Fraserburgh action group this weekend. He said last night: "The group has had my support from day one.
"It is commendable that they have kept going strong, despite no support from NHS Grampian."
The SNP MSP said: "What I will do now is speak to all the MSPs in the north-east and try and get them on our side.
"We want cross-party support to put pressure on the health minister." Mr Kerr declined recently an offer to come to Fraserburgh and meet the campaign group.
They now plan to send the minister a document detailing why they believe the health board's plans do not fit with the government's manifesto pledge that "by 2009 all women will have choice over where and how they have their baby".
The Fraserburgh Maternity Action Group also fears that the lives of mothers, and their babies, will be put at risk if they have to travel to Aberdeen or Peterhead to give birth.
NHS Grampian unveiled its plans to shake up health services in rural areas more than a year ago, to respond to a falling birthrate and growing elderly population and to target more cash at local diagnostic and treatment services.
After a public consultation, the Aberdeenshire Community Health Partnership, which is responsible for organising and providing NHS services in the area, recommended the closure of the Fraserburgh, Aboyne, Banff and Huntly maternity units.
Its proposals, which involve keeping open the ward at Peterhead Hospital but setting it targets, were backed by NHS Grampian's board in April.
Categories [Health and Community Care]
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Karen Adam is now the MSP for Banffshire and Buchan Coast
