Second petition to stop Wishaw neonatal downgrade discussed in Holyrood
It is calling for MSPs to urge the Scottish Government to stand down the plans
MSPs are being urged to support a campaign to stop Wishaw's neonatal unit from being downgraded, as mums submit a further petition.
The fight began last year, when the Scottish Government announced proposals to centralise intensive care for vulnerable babies into three super units in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Abderdeen.
Despite backlash from families, the decision was agreed meaning services across Scotland will be downgraded from level three care provision, to level two.
That includes specialist neonatal units in Ninewells in Dundee, Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy, and the award-winning University Hospital Wishaw unit.
Clinical whistle blowers are concerned that downgrading this unit would mean NHS Lanarkshire, Scotland’s third largest health board, that serves a population of 655,000 people, may lose a high-functioning service for babies and families.
In turn, it is thought this could have a "potentially disastrous" knock on effect on services in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, NHS Lothian and NHS Grampian.
'We need these concerns looked into further'
Now, a concerned mum is launching a second petition to be heard in parliament today after the first racked up more than 20,000 signatures.
READ MORE: Thousands sign petition to stop downgrade of Wishaw Neonatal Unit
Lynne McRitchie's new petition is asking the Scottish Parliament to to urge the Scottish Government to stop the planned downgrading in light of contradictory expert opinions
Lynne, from East Kilbride, gave birth to her son, Innes, at just 23 weeks and has long praised the neonatal unit in Wishaw.
She is concerned that the move will cost lives - with vulnerable babies being transferred to distant locations, as well the additional travel strain on families.
She said: "We had started a petition with the Scottish Government but we realised that they don't recognise the change.org petitions which are now sitting at around 23,000 signatures.
"So we set up a petition with the Scottish Parliament which is now sitting at around 1,760 signatures - which means it'll now be debated in front of the petitions committee.
"Our hope is the committee will hear the debate and look at the evidence which has been used in the decision.
"We'd like there to be a conversation with the First Minister, the Health Secretary or the Women's Health Secretary and really look into these concerns further.
"Ideally we hope that Wishaw would remain proving level three care, which would leave four hospitals offering this.
"That would be more in line with the Best Start guidance which spoke about going from eight units providing that level of care, to between three and five."
Made following 'strong evidence'
Women’s Health Minister Jenni Minto said: “The decision to move to three national Neonatal Intensive Care Units has been made following strong evidence and advice from expert clinicians that the new model will improve chances of survival for the smallest and sickest babies.
“Local neonatal units like University Hospital Wishaw will continue to provide care to the vast majority of babies who need it, including a level of intensive care.
“We value our engagement with parents and families who have had a baby cared for in a neonatal unit and will continue to work with them to ensure that these changes are made in the right way."