Under consideration PE2099: Stop the proposed centralisation of specialist neonatal units in NHS Scotland
Calling on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to stop the planned downgrading of established and high-performing specialist neonatal intensive care services across NHS Scotland from a level three to a level two and to commission an independent review of this decision in light of contradictory expert opinions on centralising services.
Previous action taken
A petition against the proposal has over 20,000 signatures.
Numerous communications to MSPs from concerned parties.
Jackie Bailie MSP brought forward a motion to debate this issue in the chamber on 20th September 2023.
Meghan Gallagher MSP also extended this debate to support the petition to stop downgrading of specialist neonatal services in NHS Lanarkshire during Member’s Business on 20th September 2023 in Scottish Parliament.
Background information
These plans would affect services across Scotland, including specialist neonatal units in University Hospital Wishaw which is award winning, Ninewells in Dundee and Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy.
The centralisation of neonatal services to three units in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen could place additional stress on expectant parents and premature babies. Clinical whistleblowers have said that the decision to downgrade these facilities could endanger the lives of vulnerable babies and place remarkable strain on families.
There is a particular focus on retaining services at University Hospital Wishaw (Neonatal unit of the year 2023). Downgrading this unit would mean that NHS Lanarkshire, Scotland’s third largest health board, that serves a population of 655,000 people, may lose a high-functioning service for babies/families which would have a potentially disastrous knock on effect on services in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, NHS Lothian and NHS Grampian.
1,948 signatures
This petition is now under consideration
Click here for further information about the consideration of this petition.