The Scottish Government has come under fire for proceeding with controversial plans to downgrade neonatal intensive care units across Scotland, including the award-winning unit at University Hospital Wishaw.
Plans to Reduce Specialist Units to Three
Scottish Conservative MSP Murdo Fraser accused ministers of ignoring the harrowing testimonies of terrified parents after confirming plans to slash the number of specialist neonatal units in Scotland to just three, located in Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Aberdeen. The move will result in the sickest and most premature babies enduring life-threatening journeys of up to two hours.
Scottish Labour Deputy Leader Jackie Baillie pointed out that the original Best Start report recommended Scotland maintain between three and five specialist units, not the three now decided upon. Dame Jackie said: “The Best Start report into neonatal care recommended developing three to five neonatal intensive care units, yet the Scottish Government has agreed to reduce the number to three. Aside from the impact at Ninewells in Dundee, this will result in the downgrade of the award-winning Wishaw neonatal unit. We also know that the lack of capacity in Glasgow means mums and the very sickest babies may have to travel hundreds of miles to Aberdeen. That simply cannot be right.”
Minister Defends Decision
Minister for Mental Wellbeing, Public Health, Sport, Alcohol, and Drugs, Maree Todd, claimed the downgrade would only affect a “very small number” of the most vulnerable babies—those born at less than 27 weeks gestation, weighing less than 800 grams, or requiring complex life support and surgery. Out of roughly 4,500 babies admitted to neonatal care annually in Scotland, the minister claimed only around 50 to 60 would need to be transferred to the three remaining specialist hubs. She added: “The vast majority of sick babies will continue to be cared for in their local neonatal unit,” explaining that specialist ScotSTAR ambulances would transport the most critical infants. “Jackie Baillie will understand I’m very new to this role. My understanding is that the initial recommendation was three to five, but then to move to three.”
Campaigners Call Plans ‘Catastrophic’
The Wishaw Neonatal Warriors group, leading a campaign against the plans, described them as ‘catastrophic’. An online petition against the downgrading of the unit has so far received more than 26,000 signatures. At the end of last year, a public meeting at the Jim Foley Community Centre heard powerful testimony from parents, clinicians, and campaigners opposing the planned downgrade. Dr Caroline Delahunty, former consultant neonatologist at Wishaw General, said: “During my time as a consultant, Wishaw served the third largest health board population in Scotland, with care delivered by a specialist multi-disciplinary team of consultants, neonatal nurses and allied health professionals. In my opinion, shared by other clinicians, Wishaw Neonatal Unit should remain in a position to care for Lanarkshire’s babies.”
