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Aboyne maternity fight goes to HolyroodPosted: Thu Sep 21, 2006 3:03 pmCampaigners fighting to save a closure threatened maternity unit have taken their fight to Holyrood. Members of the Save Aboyne Maternity group (SAM) are campaigning to keep the unit open after the NHS Grampian Board voted earlier this year on its closure. The plan is part of a proposed redesign of health services in Aberdeenshire. They disagree with the board who say the unit is difficult and expensive to staff and the closure would allow for better antenatal and postnatal care. Mothers and staff were joined for their protest outside the Scottish Parliament by Lib-Dem MSP for West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine Mike Rumbles, who will meet Health Minister Andy Kerr next week to discuss the unit's future. 'Excellent service' Mr Rumbles raised the issue in the Scottish Parliament where he asked Deputy Health Minister Lewis MacDonald to give the group 12 months to put together a business plan to show how the unit can be kept open. "What the campaigners want to see is the health minister recommending to Grampian they promote the Aboyne unit in the same way that Tayside has promoted their maternity units in Montrose," he said. "The people of Deeside are relying on you minister, this is about democratic accountability and decision making, please don't let them down." Green North East MSP Shiona Baird also gave the group her backing. She said: "There is currently a lack of comprehensive support for mothers at Aboyne, though the service that is available is excellent. "The minister needs to be aware of the situation and should ensure Grampian NHS is doing everything possible to stem and reverse any decline." _________________ WG blog - don't expect miracles Back to top WildGarlic Site Admin Joined: 22 Jun 2006 Posts: 7133 Location: Alford-ish Posted: Thu Dec 14, 2006 10:00 pm Post subject: Yippeeee!!!! Quote: Minister rejects maternity plans Health Minister Andy Kerr has rejected controversial plans to close maternity services in Aberdeenshire. NHS Grampian has been told to go back and think again over proposals to close maternity services. Mr Kerr has instead asked the health board look at setting up rural birth units in Aboyne, Fraserburgh and Banff. West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine MSP Mike Rumbles said: "This is tremendous news and the best early Christmas present that we could have hoped for." Mr Kerr said he wants to make sure low-risk mothers have the choice of giving birth close to their homes. He said: "When it comes to maternity services the safety of mother and child should always be paramount. "With low birth numbers, not all of the community midwife units in Aberdeenshire are sustainable. However, it's also important to try to offer a choice over where women deliver their baby. "That's why I want the board to consider whether birth units would provide that choice for low-risk mothers in Aberdeenshire's rural communities, and I look forward to seeing the results of their review in the coming weeks." 'Dice thrown' Mr Rumbles said: "I think it speaks volumes that the minister has agreed every one of NHS Grampian's proposals except those relating to the maternity units at Aboyne, Banff and Fraserburgh. "He has in no uncertain terms told the board to go back and think again. "I would congratulate everyone who has been involved in the Save Aboyne Maternity (Sam) campaign as they have put a great deal of effort into this and it has clearly paid off." Campaigners fighting to save the services made the "last throw of the dice" by meeting Mr Kerr. The maternity plan was part of a proposed redesign of health services in Aberdeenshire. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/north_east/6179459.stm |