SKYE MP Ian Blackford has called on NHS Highland to give assurances over the island’s healthcare services after temporarily closing outof- hours midwifery services.
NHS Highland temporarily closed the Community Maternity Unit (CMU) at Broadford’s Dr MacKinnon Memorial Hospital and the out-ofhours midwifery service for Skye and Lochalsh until mid-December. In a letter to NHS Highland chairman David Alston, Skye MP Ian Blackford expressed concern over the temporary closure of midwifery services, saying: ‘I would appreciate an assurance that midwifery services, including out-of-hours cover, will be preserved in Skye and Lochalsh, with steps taken to ensure a situation such as the current one does not happen again.
‘Also, mindful of what has happened in Strontian with the closure of Dail Mhor Care home – originally announced as a ‘temporary’ measure – I would appreciate an assurance there is no intention to close the midwifery unit ‘by stealth’.’