**Decision not to reopen maternity services at Dumfries and Galloway hospital branded “regrettable”**
A decision not to reopen the maternity unit at Dumfries and Galloway hospital has been criticised as “regrettable”. The Clenoch Centre at Galloway Community Hospital has been closed since 2018 due to staff shortages, forcing expectant mothers to travel to Dumfries for childbirth.
Following instances of women giving birth in laybys and pressure from campaigners, an independent review was conducted. Experts presented two options: either maintain the current model of a community hub for low-risk home births, or introduce on-call birthing for low-risk cases at the hospital as well. Despite experts favoring the latter option, after a consultation, the Integration Joint Board (IJB) decided to stick with the existing setup “for the foreseeable future”.
Reacting to the decision, Galloway and West Dumfries MSP Finlay Carson expressed his dismay, while South Scotland MSP Emma Harper called for an urgent meeting with Scotland’s Health Secretary Neil Gray to address the issue. Harper stated, “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.”
Colin Smyth, another South Scotland MSP, criticized the decision, highlighting that the IJB had disregarded the recommendation of the review to reintroduce in-hospital births. He questioned the point of conducting a review if its findings were ignored due to predetermined opinions.
During the consultation, public feedback leaned towards the enhanced option, which would eliminate the need for travelling to Dumfries and provide expectant mothers the choice of giving birth closer to home. However, health and social care staff preferred the current arrangements citing concerns about stretching an already burdened service by enhancing provision.
Chairman of the IJB, Andy McFarlane, clarified that neither of the review’s leading options involved permanently reinstating midwives at Galloway Community Hospital. The decision to maintain the current setup aimed to ensure that the majority of births would continue to take place in Dumfries for clinical reasons, while offering home births as an option in Galloway.
The IJB’s decision, made on Tuesday, received mixed reactions, but McFarlane expressed gratitude to all who shared their perspectives to inform the outcome. Despite the disappointment expressed by stakeholders, the board aims to uphold patient-centered care amidst a personal and emotionally charged issue.
The debate surrounding the maternity services at Dumfries and Galloway hospital continues to resonate with local communities and advocates for improved birthing options closer to home.