Edward Mountain astonished over Government thinking baby boxes are more important than maternity services

In Parliament today, Edward Mountain, MSP for Highlands and Islands, questioned the Government on their priorities regarding maternity care.

Edward Mountains asked the Cabinet Secretary:

“Given the limited positive impact on new mothers and infants of the baby box, as laid out by the Lancet, does the Cabinet Secretary believe that ensuring adequate maternity services in rural hospitals such as Murray and Caithness are available to local mums, are as important.”

 In a recent report carried out by the Lancet, it was found that the boxes had no impact on infant and maternal hospital admissions or infant sleeping position.

 Given this information, Edward Mountain questioned the Government on their decision to place the baby box as a priority over ensuring ‘adequate maternity services’ are in place for mums, not just in the central belt but also in rural areas.

 This comes following reports that a lack of local maternity services available in local areas is putting mothers in rural areas at risk.

Edward Mountain has since commented:

“The baby box scheme, although welcome, cannot replace the delivery of local maternity services. The situation in Moray and Caithness shows how this Government has run down our maternity services.”