MSP lodges questions on “day one” pressing Caithness maternity services

David Green, the newly elected Liberal Democrat MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, has said he is “not waiting around" as he used his first day as an MSP to put questions to ministers about maternity services in the Far North.

This past Thursday, 14 May, was the first day of the parliamentary term that MSPs were able to submit questions to the Scottish Government. Written questions are typically answered by Scottish Government ministers within a fortnight.

Consultant-led maternity services were first removed from Caithness General Hospital in 2016. It means that women in Caithness can now face a 100-mile trip down the A9 to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness to give birth. 

Last November, the Scottish Parliament voted for a Scottish Liberal Democrat amendment calling for an independent review of maternity services in Caithness. It later emerged the Scottish Government had “no plans” to commission the review it voted for in Holyrood. 

Only six births took place at Caithness General Hospital in 2025. The Scottish Human Rights Commission also weighed in 2024, warning in a report that the right to health in the Far North was seriously inadequate with regards to accessibility and availability.

Caithness, Sutherland and Ross MSP David Green said:

“I was sent to Holyrood to champion the issues that matter to local people, and I am not waiting around. That is why it was important to use my first day as an MSP to question ministers about maternity services in Caithness.

“For far too long, families and campaigners across Caithness have raised serious concerns about the downgrading of services. It has forced many women to travel in the worst possible conditions, including one woman I met who battled through snow this past winter to access care.

“Working alongside the Caithness Health Action Team, I will continue to put pressure on the Scottish Government to deliver what Parliament voted for, and what local people rightly expect - a truly independent review of maternity services.” 

ENDS.