In more cross-party support for the campaign to see local maternity scanning services returned to Argyll and Bute, Highlands & Islands Conservative MSP, Jamie McGrigor, and Alastair Redman, Conservative candidate for Argyll & Bute, have given a cautious welcome to NHS Highland’s statement that is plans to bring local maternity scanning services to Argyll & Bute from late 2016.
Jamie McGrigor will table a parliamentary question on the subject in the Scottish Parliament at Health Questions on Wednesday 4th March.
Commenting today Alastair Redman says: ‘When I have been speaking to local residents across Argyll & Bute, the lack of what were formerly popular maternity scanning services led by midwives and radiographers in Campbeltown, Dunoon, Islay, Lochgilphead, Oban and Rothesay is an issue that is raised with me again and again.
‘Since these services were removed in 2013, mothers-to-be now have to undertake inconvenient, time-consuming and stressful journeys to hospitals in the Glasgow, Greenock or Paisley for their maternity scans.
‘I therefore welcome NHS Highland’s statement but would want to ensure it applied to all the locations in Argyll & Bute which previously offered local scans. Local people in Argyll & Bute should enjoy equitable access to NHS services, just as much as people in the central belt.’
Jamie McGrigor MSP says: ‘I raised the issue of the removal of local maternity scanning services late last year at a meeting with Garry Coutts, chairman of NHS Highland. He conceded this was regrettable but said it was down to a shortage of specialist sonographers who were in short supply and who were now required to undertake scans rather than those NHS staff who previously did so in Argyll & Bute.
‘I welcome the positive news announced yesterday by NHS Highland.
‘I also hope my question at Health Questions in Parliament on 4th March will help increase pressure on the Scottish Government to recognise the genuine concerns of Argyll & Bute parents-to-be on this important subject’
The weight of cross party support for this campaign could not underline more strongly its important to people across this huge and sprawling mainland and islands constituency.
Driven by Labour candidate, Mary Galbraith, the campaign now has both SNP and Conservative support. Jamie McGrigor’s parliamentary question for 4th March elevates the issue directly to the Scottish Parliament.
The cautious welcome given by the two leading local conservatives echoes Mary Galbraith;s own concerns that while it is good that NHS Highland are now making some movement on the matter, it is more limited and less able than it must be.
The campaign continues to gather strength, with the cross-party support for it helpful and constructive. Sign the petition here.