MSPs to hear campaign to stop the downgrade of Wishaw Neonatal Unit
Under the plans by the Scottish Government, babies requiring intensive care could be moved to special units in Aberdeen, Edinburgh or Glasgow
A campaign to stop the neonatal unit at Wishaw University Hospital from being downgraded will go before MSPs this week, at a cross-party debate on Wednesday 20 September.
The ward, which is currently a level 3 unit, would become a level 2 facility under plans by the Scottish Government.
It is part of proposals to restructure intensive care for babies in Scotland - but it means some newborns would be moved to units in Edinburgh, Glasgow or Aberdeen.
READ MORE: Thousands sign petition to stop downgrade of Wishaw Neonatal Unit
Lynne McRitchie's petition has gained more than 12,000 signatures after sharing the story of her own son, Innes, who was born at just 23 weeks in Wishaw - weighing just 2lbs.
She says she is eternally grateful for the ward and its staff and believes tiny baby Innes "wouldn't be here" if he had been moved to a special unit miles away.
Prepared to fight
Speaking exclusively to Clyde News, the East Kilbride mother tells us she is prepared to fight to stop "vulnerable" babies, like her son, from being transferred away from family and support networks.
She said: "We're literally talking about the youngest, sickest, smallest, most vulnerable babies.
"If a baby like Innes were to be transferred just after birth, and the stress for me to have him transferred, Innes wouldn't be here.
"When I set up this petition, you always wonder whether only five people will sign it and if its something that's a big deal for me, and not for anyone else.
"It's really humbling to see that there are so many people that are behind it, and it's an honour to do something for Wishaw's neonatal unit who were there for me in my time of need.
"It will be a long road - I appreciate that there has been a lot of work gone into these proposals.
"I would hope that there's a bit of a pause put onto this, to look at whether there are other options available particularly for Wishaw, but also to look at how this impacts all areas."
'Dedicated to providing highest standard of care'
Judith Park, NHS Lanarkshire director of acute services, said: “While we are extremely disappointed that Lanarkshire will not be one of the specialist intensive care neonatal units, we accept the recommendations of the Best Start report for a new model of neonatal intensive care.
"We will work alongside Scottish Government, staff within our neonatal unit at University Hospital Wishaw and the local population on the next steps following this announcement.
“Our dedicated staff will remain committed to providing the highest standard of neonatal care to babies and families in Lanarkshire.”
'No units are closing'
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: "No neonatal units are closing as part of these plans. Local neonatal units, including Wishaw, will continue to provide care to the vast majority of local babies who need it.
"The decision to move to three national Neonatal Intensive Care Units has been made in line with strong evidence and advice from expert clinicians that specialist care will improve health outcomes and save lives.
"These three units will offer specialist and complex care in fewer centres for the most pre-term and sickest babies.”