‘UTTERLY shocking’, ‘regrettable’ and ‘endangering’ were the words used to describe a decision this week to not reopen the maternity unit at Galloway Community Hospital.
Dumfries and Galloway Health and Social Care Partnership’s (DGHSCP) Integration Joint Board (IJB) made the decision on Tuesday following an independently-led review and subsequent public consultation.
But despite overwhelming support from the public and the independent review recommending a low-risk birthing service be established at the hospital to run alongside the existing model, the IJB opted to retain the home birth only model, with no birthing facility at Galloway Community Hospital (GCH).
Explaining their decision, chairman of the IJB Andy McFarlane said: “One thing I would want to stress from the start is our confidence as a board in the maternity services as they stand currently across the region, including Wigtownshire.
“The decision about provision of birthing services in Wigtownshire was not an easy one to arrive at, as every member of the board is acutely aware of calls from communities to have the fullest range of services made available locally.
“Taking on board the original report, all of the facts, and all of the thoughts and perspectives, the IJB concluded that the status quo represents the best and most deliverable and sustainable model now and for the foreseeable future.”
The decision has been slammed by Wigtownshire residents and politicians alike.
Stranraer and the Rhins Cllr Willie Scobie condemned the move, saying: “I used to think NHS D&G listened, but doubted if they heard what we had said.
“The decision taken this week by the IJB now confirms that they neither listen or hear what we say, or anyone else for that matter.
“They have totally ignored the preferred option as recommended by Crawford McGuffie and Jennifer Wilson, and the consultation that followed their review findings by not reopening the maternity unit at GCH, putting mother and baby’s lives at risk.
“It will be for us to march on Parliament to put our case to the Scottish Government before there is any other mother having to give birth at the side of the road or where this decision is endangering mother and baby lives to encounter that 75 mile treacherous journey on the A75 to Dumfries.”
His sentiments were echoed by South Scotland MSP Colin Smyth who said: “The independent review made a clear recommendation that in-hospital births should be reintroduced, and it is utterly shocking that members of the IJB have completely ignored that.
“People in Wigtownshire are being treated as second class by the IJB and NHS Dumfries and Galloway, who were clearly never serious about changing the current position.
“Mums-to-be have been strung people along for years by the IJB and local NHS with reviews and consultations with no intention to listening to the outcomes.
“When local MSPs met with the Health Minister Maree Todd in Stranraer alongside those mums, she said the way forward was this local review. We said then we doubted that would deliver because we did not trust the IJB and the local NHS to deliver any recommendations. Sadly, we have been proved correct.”
And he called on the Scottish Government to now intervene.
Fellow MSP Emma Harper has also called for an urgent meeting with Health Secretary Neil Gray. She added: “The decision by the IJB came as a shock to many constituents. Given the recent work which was carried out as part of the independent review of Wigtownshire maternity services which recommended the return of birthing services at the Galloway Community Hospital, as well as the work of local campaigners, I think it is fair to say that the decision by the IJB is regrettable.
“I have been clear that Wigtownshire healthcare issues, including improving midwifery and birthing provisions, should be improved. Of course, I am also acutely aware of the risk assessment and safety requirements. However, this decision today by the IJB should be called into question.”
Furthermore, Galloway and West MSP Finlay Carson has called the move ‘downgrading’, adding: “I am utterly appalled at the decision that the IJB has taken to downgrade maternity services in Wigtownshire ‘for the foreseeable future’.
“Make no mistake, this is a downgrading of the service given that the current position of no birthing facility was said only to be a temporary measure adopted because of staff shortages!
“What trust can anyone in Dumfries and Galloway have in the NHS board members or councillors to do the right thing for the people of Wigtownshire?
“Let us hope the next stitch up is not relating to the future of our cottage hospitals!’
