Far north campaigners "very optimistic" after Health Secretary visit
Humza Yousaf met with representatives from both the Caithness Health Action Team and the North Highland Women's Wellness Hub.
Health campaigners say they're feeling "optimistic" after the Health Secretary visited Caithness yesterday.
Humza Yousaf met with representatives from both the Caithness Health Action Team (CHAT) and the North Highland Women's Wellness Hub (NHWWH).
There have been ongoing campaigns from both groups to improve access to healthcare services for those living in the Far North.
The Health Secretary said he was "grateful" to hear about the work being carried out by campaigners.
"He listened" - CHAT
Posting on their Facebook after their meeting, CHAT explained how Humza Yousaf heard from a new Caithness mum on her pregnancy journey.
They said: "He Listened!
"A very good meeting with Humza Yousaf we all felt that he listened and took on board what we said.
"He will follow up with NHS Highland on a number of concerns raised.
"He is interested in the Orkney maternity model and is actually going to visit to find out more about how their model operates.
"When a new mum told him of her experiences during pregnancy and birth he was very moved.
"He felt an inquiry would be very beneficial and is looking into this possibility.
"We spoke in detail about centralisation and the impact on our community and he will be raising this issue with NHS Highland.
"He assured us that he would keep CHAT involved.
"Overall CHAT members are very optimistic that change could be possible."
"Very exciting times ahead" - NHWWH
NHWWH outlined what they brought up with the Health Secretary and how they met with Caithness, Sutherland and Ross MSP Maree Todd earlier in the day.
They said: "Raised the issue of UN Human rights for Gynaecology care being potentially breached with the current situation. (Thanks to Making Rights Real for their advice on this)
"Providing NHS Highland staff with lived experience training
"GP knowledge of support services and NHS services for pain management
"Discussed the use of the mobile MRI in Caithness to help waiting lists in Raigmore
"Patients paying travel expenses upfront especially in the cost of living crisis
"Discussed the clinical dangers of travelling post operation from Raigmore to Caithness, especially DVT.
"Pushed hard for Gynaecology services, including nurses, to be instated in Caithness General & Golspie Memorial Hospitals.
"Expanding the NHS inform database with a wider variety of Women's Health conditions.
"Very exciting times ahead"
Talking to campaigners "imperative"
Health Secretary Humza Yousaf says he'll be keeping an eye on a review into health services across the north and north-east now that it has resumed.
He said: “I am pleased to have been able to meet the members of CHAT and North Highland Women’s Wellbeing Hub in Caithness and to have had the opportunity to discuss the important issues relating to maternity and health care provision in the area.
"I have every sympathy with the position of the women I met with today and will do everything we can to help.
"Clearly the key priority is that the care provided to mothers and babies is as safe as possible.
“It has been imperative for me to hear directly from those most affected and I am grateful to have had the chance to hear the work that both groups are doing.
"Meeting those with lived experience is important to ensure we learn from the knowledge and how the community has been impacted.”
“The Best Start North review, commissioned by the health boards covering the Highlands, Grampian and the Islands, looked to carry out a review of the resources, constraints, challenges and opportunities in the current systems for maternity and neonatal services.
"Following a pause due to the pandemic, the review work has resumed and I am really keen to see this progressed as soon as possible and I will be interested to hear more about this as this progresses.”