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Woman Taken 75 Miles to Hospital for Birth of Child Problem Blamed on Shortage of Neonatal Cots

Posted on: Thursday, 23 February 2006, 09:01 CST

By DAMIEN HENDERSON

AN EXPECTANT mother was forced to travel 75 miles from her home because the local hospital had no available beds, bringing Scotland's shortage of neonatal services into stark focus.

Kirsty McDonald, 26, was taken by ambulance from Wishaw General Hospital in Lanarkshire to the nearest available maternity unit at Dundee's Ninewells Hospital when she went into premature labour.

Her husband Craig has undertaken a regular 150-mile round trip from their home in Coatbridge to be with her and the couple's new son Josh, who weighed in at 4lb 13oz last Sunday.

The journey was blamed on an exceptionally high level of women giving birth during the past two weeks.

NHS Lanarkshire said the shortage of neonatal cots during peak times is a "national problem" and that it is reviewing whether further resources are needed to increase capacity.

A spokesman said: "NHS Lanarkshire has one neonatal unit at Wishaw General Hospital. During the past two weeks the unit has experienced exceptionally high activity, which has resulted in all of the cots being used.

"In accordance with approved practice, where a mother and baby are likely to require neonatal support and a cot is not available, arrangements will be made to transfer them to the nearest available unit to ensure their safety."

But Mr McDonald yesterday said that his wife's location had put a strain on the family, making it impossible for her to see her daughter, Emma, for more than a week.

He said: "It is absolutely ridiculous. Kirsty went into labour at about 11.30pm and the folk at Wishaw General basically told her there was no room at the inn.

"They have a red, amber, green system to prioritise and Kirsty was sent to Dundee. The hospital seems to be at bursting point.

"I wasn't even allowed to go in the ambulance with her. I have had to take a week off work and the travelling has been a nightmare. I have been staying in Dundee when I can and Emma has been staying with Kirsty's mother and father.

"She has been missing her mum and this has really affected her."

Lewis Macdonald, the deputy health minister, denied there was a problem with neonatal provision, pointing to the record levels of qualified nurses and midwives in post.

He said: "Provision of neonatal services is extremely complicated as demand varies greatly from day to day, and week to week. Therefore it can be difficult to determine staffing levels and cot numbers. That is why arrangements are in place for every hospital in the UK to access cots elsewhere if they experience unusually high demand."

Mrs McDonald was taken to Ninewells Hospital on February 12, but gave birth a week later. The baby was three weeks premature and is expected to remain in hospital for observation with his mother for the next few weeks.

Elaine Smith, MSP for Coatbridge and Chryston, said she was "very concerned" by the case.

She added: "I have written to Wishaw General and NHS Lanarkshire demanding an explanation.

"At a time when we are fighting to keep emergency services as local as possible, this case serves as a stark warning as to what can happen."

The case comes as NHS Lanarkshire is considering closing an accident and emergency unit at one of two hospitals - either Monklands, in Airdrie, or Hairmyres, in East Kilbride.

Source: Herald, The; Glasgow (UK)

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