"We are going to see fatalities" - Public urged to back petition for review on women's health services
Rebecca Wymer's petition on Far North services closes a week today
Last updated 10th Jan 2022
A John O'Groats woman is urging the public to back her petition for a review of Far North women's health services, as it enters its final week for collecting signatures.
Rebecca Wymer feels there will be deaths in Caithness and Sutherland due to the lack of services.
Her petition now has more than 1,200 signatures, but she's urging as many people as possible to sign it.
Highland MSP Rhoda Grant says she's "really glad" to see the petition will be considered by the Scottish Parliament's Public Petitions Committee.
Routine appointments being missed
Rebecca explains in the blurb of her petition why a review is so urgently needed.
She said: "The Highland gynaecology crisis was happening before Covid, with funding funnelled into Orkney or Inverness. Care should be equal to all women in Scotland and I believe serious conditions (e.g. Endometriosis, Ovarian Cancer) are being missed.
"Shockingly, there are no miscarriage/menopause/fertility services.
"The A9/A99 are often closed or dangerous to drive, making emergency transport to Raigmore (100+ miles) unreliable, sometimes impossible (e.g. Ectopic pregnancy could be fatal). Ambulance transport to Inverness takes vital units from the area and causes enormous distress to patients.
"I understand that many are taking out large loans to cover private Gynae care in the cities and families are moving away for adequate gynaecology services.
"The economic impact of this is huge for the area."
Speaking to MFR News, Rebecca's hugely concerned over what will happen if services aren't expanded.
She said: "It’s all in Inverness, we’ve got very few services in Caithness and Sutherland.
"It’s getting to the point now where it’s so dangerous, we are going to see fatalities if it doesn’t change soon.
"Although there is a payback scheme through NHS Highland, you do have to pay for things up front, fuel, accommodation, time of work, childcare.
"There are people who’re completely missing routine check-ups and important appointments."
Petitioner calling for "open-minded" review
Rebecca also explained what she hopes comes from the petition.
She added: "An open minded review to look and see, whether the situation in Caithness and Sutherland would be acceptable anywhere else in the UK.
"If it isn’t, it needs to change, so it’s an equal health force and an equal health service.
Labour MSP Rhoda Grant agrees urgent action is required.
She said: "I’m really glad that people have decided to petition the Parliament, it’s something that I say to people quite a lot that they should do because the petitions committee are very good at looking at issues and shining a light on them.
"I look forward to when it comes to the committee, I’m not a member of that committee, but any MSP can attend the committee and I certainly would be my hope and intention to attend the committee and support the petition.
"As with other health services, I’m hearing more and more that people are doing things like taking out loans, using their life savings to go and access private treatment."
Women's health "key priority" for Scottish Government
Women’s Health Minister Maree Todd says she will personally reply to the public petitions committee on concerns raised.
She said: "I am aware of the petition calling for an in-depth review of Women’s Health services in Caithness & Sutherland and will personally reply to the public petitions committee on the concerns raised.
"Women’s Health is key priority for this government which is why we published an ambitious plan in August 2021 to implement wider change to ensure all our health and social care services meet the needs of all women, everywhere.
"As part of this we are working to address inequalities in all aspects of health that women are facing."
NHS Highland outlined what they are doing to improve women's health across the region
A spokesperson said: "We are currently assessing service provision across the region in relation to the recently published documents: Women’s Health Plan A Plan for 2021-2024 (Scottish Government, August 2021) and Improving the health and wellbeing of girls and women (RCOG, December 2019).
"The ultimate aim is to provide a life course approach and consider every aspect of women’s health.
"This will include having locally accessible care and nurse led interventions where appropriate
"The safety of women is paramount to NHS Highland and advice and support is always available for local practitioners from gynaecologists in Raigmore. Therefore, diagnosis would always be made with the involvement of a gynaecologist.
"A Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist who is locally based within the Caithness region is returning to work after a period of absence and this will increase the support available to local teams.
"Financial support is available to any woman who cannot afford the cost of travel."
The petition is open until January 17th and can be accessed here