A “regrettable” decision has been made not to reopen a maternity unit in the west of the region.
The Clenoch Centre in Galloway Community Hospital has been closed since 2018 due to staff shortages, with mums having to travel to Dumfries to give birth.
Following cases of mums giving birth in laybys and pressure from campaigners, an independent review was carried out with experts coming up with two options – the existing model of a community hub for low-risk home births or supplementing that with on-call birthing for low risk births at the hospital.
The latter was the preferred option of the experts – but following a consultation, the IJB decided on Tuesday to continue with the status quo “for the foreseeable future”.
Galloway and West Dumfries MSP Finlay Carson said he was “utterly appalled” at the decision, while South Scotland MSP Emma Harper wants an urgent meeting with Scotland’s Health Secretary Neil Gray to discuss the issue.
Ms Harper said: “The decision by the IJB came as a shock to many constituents. Given the recent work which was carried out as part of the independent review of Wigtownshire maternity services which recommended the return of birthing services at the Galloway Community Hospital, as well as the work of local campaigners, I think it is fair to say that the decision by the IJB is regrettable.
“I am seeking an urgent meeting with the Scottish Government’s Health Secretary. Local women and families deserve better.
“As per the independent review, women must be able to give birth within a safe, clinical setting at the Galloway Community Hospital.”
Fellow South Scotland MSP, Colin Smyth, added: “The independent review made a clear recommendation that in-hospital births should be reintroduced, and it is utterly shocking that members of the IJB have completely ignored that. What is the point of having a review if you reject the findings because it doesn’t suit your pre-determined position?
“The recommended option would have been a start and a step in the right direction to a more comprehensive service in the future.”
The findings of the consultation were presented to Tuesday’s meeting.
Members of the public were more positive about the enhanced option, saying it would remove the need to travel to Dumfries and gave expectant mums the option of giving birth closer to home, with some people claiming home births were not currently being offered.
Health and social care staff preferred the existing arrangements, saying home births were on offer and it would prevent a “favoured service” being offered in the west of the region.
Enhancing provision would be “stretching an already stretched service” and may not necessarily be safer.
Board members decided on Tuesday to stick with the existing arrangements.
Chairman, Dee and Glenkens Councillor Andy McFarlane, said: “To be very clear, neither of the two leading options which emerged from the review and which then went out to consultation would have seen midwives return on a permanent basis to Galloway Community Hospital.
“One option we consulted on was around providing the same model of low-risk birthing service currently offered for home births, with the midwife arriving at Galloway Community Hospital.
“And this would only have been for births which were pre-planned and had been assessed as low-risk, which accounts for the minority of births in this area, and stands annually at a very small number. The majority of births would have continued to be directed to take place in Dumfries, in line with best clinical practice.
“The other option we consulted on was retaining the current arrangement, where a home birth service is offered but all hospital births are directed to take place in Dumfries.
“This has been a challenging decision on what is a very personal and emotional subject, where there is great strength of feeling, and where we as a board recognise a commitment to patient-centred care.
“I do very much hope that you feel your voice has been heard, and understand the reasons behind this decision.”