Call for Health Secretary to investigate "outrageous decision" not to reopen Dumfries and Galloway maternity unit

The Integration Joint Board has opted against using the Clenoch Centre in Galloway Community Hospital for on-call birthing for low risk births

Scotland’s Health Secretary has been asked to investigate the “outrageous decision” not to reopen a maternity unit in Stranraer.

The Integration Joint Board recently decided to continue with the existing model of a community hub for low-risk home births, rather than supplementing that with on-call birthing for low risk births at the Clenoch Centre in Galloway Community Hospital.

The preferred option of experts had been to bring the Clenoch Centre – closed since 2018 due to staff shortages – back into use.

There had also been a community campaign to re-open the suite after several cases of mums giving birth in laybys, although health and social care staff preferred the existing arrangements.

Galloway and West Dumfries MSP Finlay Carson now wants Health Secretary Neil Gray to investigate the decision.

In a letter, Mr Carson wrote: “There is public outrage at the IJB decision which, given the evidence must have been made solely on financial grounds.

“I ask that you investigate this outrageous decision as a matter of urgency.

“As you may be aware during our recent meeting I raised my concerns surrounding a pending decision by Dumfries and Galloway Integration Joint Board on maternity services in Wigtownshire.”

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