Cole-Hamilton demands First Minister take action on rural healthcare

Speaking during this afternoon’s session of First Minister’s Questions, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP said:

“Rural healthcare is a key priority for the Scottish Liberal Democrats.

“The government listened to some of our demands by including in the draft budget yesterday a long overdue replacement for the Belford Hospital in Fort William. Now, we need shovels in the ground.

“But they stopped short of replacing the Gilbert Bain Hospital in Lerwick, or ensuring 24/7 access at Portree Hospital for emergency care.

“Today, I want to remind the First Minister about what’s going on in the Far North. Mothers are forced to travel 100 miles through the snow and the ice to give birth in Inverness.

“An investigation by the Scottish Human Rights Commission received testimony to say that the situation was, and I quote, “barbaric”.

"Women left terrified by four hour drives in the dark with deer on the roads. 

“It even heard that some have lost their fertility due to delays in accessing Raigmore in emergencies.

"No wonder they are moving away or choosing not to have any more children.

“Liberal Democrats have repeatedly asked for midwife-led maternity care in the Far North. What is the First Minister going to do about it, because these mums are still in danger?”