frank ward
08-Dec-05, 12:07
I note an item on this website a few days ago (6th December) about Rob Gibson MSP.
It says:
“Highlands and Islands SNP MSP Rob Gibson has lodged a motion in the Scottish Parliament to congratulate the North Action Group (NAG) on their campaign to secure the Maternity Unit for Caithness. Rob launched the motion in the wake of the announcement from NHS Highland that the maternity service in Wick was to stay clinician led despite the threat of downgrading.”
Well thank you very much for this Rob but it might have been MORE HELPFUL if you had signed a previous Parliamentary motion in support of NAG a few weeks ago when the campaign was still fighting for victory in September 2005 and needing parliamentary support.
But you were not alone in ignoring the motion, Rob. To their shame, NOT A SINGLE HIGHLAND MSP SIGNED THE MOTION !!
A cynic might think that some MSPs only want to be associated with a campaign when it generates publicity they can harness. I think our local MSPs have hardly raised a finger to help the maternity campaign since a parliamentary debate last year. Some of them have actually tried to sabotage it.
The Motion, placed after MSPs got copies of the NAG colour leaflet in September, is as follows:
S2M-3276 Tommy Sheridan (Glasgow) (SSP) : Support for North Action Group and the Retention of Full Maternity Services at Caithness General Hospital—
"That the Parliament congratulates the North Action Group for its persistent and untiring campaigning to retain full maternity and gynaecology cover in Wick, with 24/7 consultant cover; is concerned that the long-term future of these services has still not been secured; is further concerned that the impact of a loss of consultant services will lead to an unacceptable increase in the numbers of women unable to give birth near their homes and families and an increase in high-risk transfers of mums and babies and that the issue of travelling time and its consequences for outcome has not been reconciled by NHS Highland, and believes that nothing less than full consultant cover will ensure the health and well-being of all women and babies in Caithness and equality of access to maternity services."
SO TELL US PLEASE ROB – WHY DIDN’T YOU SIGN THIS MOTION???????
It says:
“Highlands and Islands SNP MSP Rob Gibson has lodged a motion in the Scottish Parliament to congratulate the North Action Group (NAG) on their campaign to secure the Maternity Unit for Caithness. Rob launched the motion in the wake of the announcement from NHS Highland that the maternity service in Wick was to stay clinician led despite the threat of downgrading.”
Well thank you very much for this Rob but it might have been MORE HELPFUL if you had signed a previous Parliamentary motion in support of NAG a few weeks ago when the campaign was still fighting for victory in September 2005 and needing parliamentary support.
But you were not alone in ignoring the motion, Rob. To their shame, NOT A SINGLE HIGHLAND MSP SIGNED THE MOTION !!
A cynic might think that some MSPs only want to be associated with a campaign when it generates publicity they can harness. I think our local MSPs have hardly raised a finger to help the maternity campaign since a parliamentary debate last year. Some of them have actually tried to sabotage it.
The Motion, placed after MSPs got copies of the NAG colour leaflet in September, is as follows:
S2M-3276 Tommy Sheridan (Glasgow) (SSP) : Support for North Action Group and the Retention of Full Maternity Services at Caithness General Hospital—
"That the Parliament congratulates the North Action Group for its persistent and untiring campaigning to retain full maternity and gynaecology cover in Wick, with 24/7 consultant cover; is concerned that the long-term future of these services has still not been secured; is further concerned that the impact of a loss of consultant services will lead to an unacceptable increase in the numbers of women unable to give birth near their homes and families and an increase in high-risk transfers of mums and babies and that the issue of travelling time and its consequences for outcome has not been reconciled by NHS Highland, and believes that nothing less than full consultant cover will ensure the health and well-being of all women and babies in Caithness and equality of access to maternity services."
SO TELL US PLEASE ROB – WHY DIDN’T YOU SIGN THIS MOTION???????