Earlier This Week NHS Dumfries and Galloway hosted a visit by Maree Todd, Minister for Public Health, Women’s Health and Sport.
Ms Todd spent time at Galloway Community Hospital in Stranraer where she visited the Clenoch Birth Centre, which will feature in the planned review of maternity services in the west of the region.
Since 2018, there have been no births or intrapartum service from Clenoch Birth Centre within Galloway Community Hospital due to staffing and workforce challenges. This reflects national recruitment challenges within midwifery despite local participation in recruitment campaigns.
In order to be confident of safely delivering such a service it must be able to be staffed with enough qualified midwives so as to ensure rolling cover 24 hours every day, seven days a week, and with cover for holidays, unplanned absence and regular staff education and skills training.
Although the Clenoch Birth Centre cannot be used for births at present, a full range of enhanced antenatal and postpartum maternity services are delivered from the Oak Tree Family Centre in Stranraer.
We are aware that Dumfries and Galloway Integration Joint Board will be discussing a review of the midwifery service in the west of the region at its next meeting and we look forward to working with the IJB to implement its recommendations on the future service model.
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