Highlands maternity care under review as mothers face long journeys

Scotland's maternity services are under scrutiny, with a new independent review set to focus on rural and island provision, including the Highlands. The review comes amid concern about the distances women must travel to give birth, and after reports earlier this week that some rural maternity units in England may have to close to protect patient safety.

Gemma, who lives near Wick in Caithness, was pregnant with her first child when she learned she would face a two and a half hour drive down the A9 to a maternity ward in Inverness. The road is often closed by heavy snow. She said the journey added to the anxiety of pregnancy: "I was like, oh my God, I'm going to have to travel." Women in the area have been opting for inductions in the Highland capital rather than risk going into labour on the road. Gemma said planned inductions and caesarean sections were chosen because "at least it's within their control".

Caithness General Hospital once had consultant-led maternity services. After these were downgraded, high-risk pregnancies and new mothers must travel 100 miles to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness. Figures cited in the report show 90% of Caithness babies are born in Inverness.

NHS Highland said it is committed to providing safe and effective maternity care. It recognised that travelling for care can be difficult for some women and families and said it takes feedback seriously. The board said women are supported to make informed choices through personalised risk assessment and care planning. It said it continues to provide as many maternity services as can safely be delivered locally at Caithness General Hospital, supported by consultant-led services and community midwifery provision. NHS Highland said it would not comment on individual cases.

Gemma gave birth to her son Robbie in Inverness. Her induction failed, she developed a serious infection and had an emergency caesarean. Her baby was born with neonatal sepsis. She believes the outcome might not have happened if she had been able to have a natural birth closer to home. She said her experience was traumatic but not rare. Asked whether she got the care she deserved, she said: "Not at all, and I don't think anybody else does either."

Human rights campaigners said the issue was not confined to the Highlands. They said similar problems had been reported from Caithness to the south of Scotland and Dumfries and Galloway, where women had described services as not closed but not open and not accessible. They said this suggested a systemic problem.

The independent review will examine rural and island provision. Gemma hopes it will address the fear, stress and trauma she went through. The report noted that living in a remote town such as Wick will always bring challenges. The question, it said, is whether care for new mothers is there when it matters most.