Edward Mountain MSP challenges Scot Gov on whether NHS Highland’s maternity plans to deliver 500 more births at Raigmore are “sufficient”

Highlands and Islands MSP Edward Mountain today pressed the SNP’s Health Minister on NHS Highland’s proposals to upgrade Raigmore’s Maternity Unit, which were discussed by the Health Board yesterday.

NHS Highland estimate that 500 more women a year could give birth at Raigmore Hospital should the proposals to upgrade the maternity unity proceed, which are costed at £9 million.

During Health Portfolio Questions at Holyrood, Edward Mountain MSP asked: “how many mothers from Moray it anticipates will give birth at Raigmore each year until the new service at Dr Gray's is up and running, in light of its decision in December 2022 not to continue with model 4.”

The Cabinet Secretary for NHS Recovery, Health & Social Care replied: The member will be aware in March of this year the previous Cabinet Secretary for Health & Social Care approved the plan for integrated maternity services across the North of Scotland with consultant-led obstetric services at Dr Gray’s Hospital supporting this, with an initial investment of up to £6.6 million. While model 4 is not continuing as previously outlined in the Ralph Roberts review, the elements in model 4 continue to feature in the approved plan. But in this plan Raigmore will continue to accept around 1 to 2 women per week who require emergency transfer in labour from Dr Gray’s. In addition from 2025 and in line with the expected completion of the building refurbishment work in Raigmore, and increased staffing levels associated with the networked model of care, it is expected that Moray women can choose to birth in Raigmore in addition to Dr Gray’s or Aberdeen Maternity Hospital. I’m expecting to see the revised NHS Highland business case for Raigmore maternity services once it has been through Board approval processes.”

Edward Mountain MSP then asked: “NHS Highland are spending £9m to expand Raigmore’s maternity unit, with the help of a £5 million allocation from the Scottish Government. Can the Cabinet Secretary explain how Raigmore, as it was explained at the Board Meeting yesterday, will cope with an estimated 500 extra births per year when the updated unit, when built, will only increase capacity by 1 additional bed space in the labour suite area?”

The Cabinet Secretary replied: “The plan for a networked model of maternity care in the North, approved in March 2023 envisages women from Moray being able to choose to birth in Raigmore from 2025. I’m expecting to receive the revised business case as I previously mentioned from Highland shortly and although I’m aware that it was discussed at the Highland Board meting yesterday and is available online, I will consider it fully and look at the points the member has raised once it is submitted.”

Following the exchange, Edward Mountain MSP said:

“It appears to me that the Scottish Government is not preparing Raigmore sufficiently to deliver 500 extra births from 2025.

“Up to £9 million could be spent on a project that only produces 1 extra bed in the labour suite – numbers that don’t seem to add up to me.

“I’m therefore disappointed that the Minister was not up to speed on NHS Highland’s proposals and was unable to offer any judgement on them.

“The Board papers were made available around a week ago and the Board meeting took place yesterday – if I can be aware of the proposals, surely the Minister can as well!”