This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Grampian maternity proposals revised
08/02/2007
Health Minister Andy Kerr has today approved NHS Grampian's revised proposals to develop maternity services in the North East, and asked the Board to now implement plans for birth units in Aboyne, Banff and Fraserburgh.
In December the Minister had asked the Board to review its original plans for maternity services to see if there was scope for providing birth units for low-risk mothers on the lines of models already in place in other parts of rural Scotland. That work was completed and re-submitted to the Minister at the end of January.
Mr Kerr said:
"When I asked NHS Grampian to reconsider its original proposals in December, I said it was important that women should have a choice of where to deliver their babies whenever it is safe and sensible to offer that choice.
"I am therefore pleased that the Board has concluded that there is scope for providing Birth Units for low-risk women in Aboyne, Banff and Fraserburgh. I now look forward to seeing the Board take those plans forward.
"Of course, it will be for the Board to determine the exact size and capacity of each unit, in accordance with local needs. It will also have to work with staff to establish appropriate work patterns to run the service. Clinical safety must be at the heart of this work.
"I'm confident NHS Grampian will now go on to provide birth units which offer a safe and sustainable service for women in the Aboyne, Banff and Fraserburgh areas. I know the Board has already engaged with local communities in considering how these plans are taken forward and look forward to checking on their progress in the future."
NHS Grampian's revised proposals for service change were submitted to the Health Minister on 26th January. Mr Kerr today replied by letter to the Board chair, Jim Royan OBE.