The experiences of Highland mothers will form an important part of a new nationwide review of Scotland’s maternity services which begins today and will examine how care can be improved for women, babies and families.
The independent review will give particular attention to rural and island maternity care, with services in Caithness, Elgin and Wigtownshire specifically identified for examination during the nine month process.
Chaired by maternal and child health expert Professor Christine McCourt, the review will draw on evidence, data and the direct experiences of women, families and maternity staff across Scotland.
For the Highlands, the inclusion of Caithness brings renewed attention to the distances some women face when accessing maternity services and the long running campaign for care to be provided as close to home as possible.
Caithness Health Action Team will be involved in the review, a move welcomed by Highlands and Islands MSP David Green, who says the voices of Highland mothers must now be heard clearly.
Green said:
“It’s good news that this review is underway.
“I’m also glad to see confirmation that Caithness Health Action Team will be involved, having fought long and hard to get Highland mums’ voices heard.
“But gathering evidence will not be enough.
“The Scottish government must take the review’s findings seriously and take action to address this crisis.
“Everyone deserves access to dependable maternity care as close to home as possible.
“Nobody should have to travel more than 100 miles to reach these vital services because the system is falling short.
“Scottish Liberal Democrats will continue to hold the government to account for this crisis until we end it once and for all.”
The review will also examine disparities in maternal outcomes across Scotland, including higher rates of maternal mortality among Black and Asian women, and will take account of unannounced inspections currently being carried out at all 18 acute maternity units.
Health Secretary Angela Constance said the experiences of families who have been let down, including those who have experienced the loss of a baby, must help shape improvements to maternity care.
Professor McCourt said the review team wants to hear from women, families, healthcare staff and organisations across Scotland to understand both the difficulties within maternity services and examples of care that could help shape future improvements.
Scottish Liberal Democrat health spokesperson Adam Harley also welcomed the review while calling for action on rural maternity services, midwifery appointments and hospital diversions.
The review will run for nine months, with Professor McCourt expected to submit her findings and recommendations in July 2027.
For Highland families who have spent years arguing that geography should not determine the maternity care available to mothers and babies, the test will ultimately be whether those experiences lead to meaningful change.
