Murdo has called for the Scottish Government to reverse its decision to downgrade the crucial neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at Ninewells.
Speaking in parliament this week, he asked the Minister for Public Health to reconsider the Government’s plan to reorganise neonatal care in Scotland, in light of reports that it could result in the downgrading of essential units, such as at Ninewells in Dundee.
This comes after the Government’s announcement last year to downgrade 5 of the 8 neonatal units across Scotland, including at Ninewells in Dundee. The decision sparked controversy and concern across the country, and a subsequent petition against the proposals has gained over 20,000 signatures.
In the chamber, Murdo spoke of Lauren Bruce, a mother from Blairgowrie whose daughter Grace suffered a rare stroke shortly after birth at Ninewells hospital in Dundee. He quoted Lauren’s plea to the government in the chamber, “What concerns me most is the number of parents who have shared their stories, pleading with you and the Scottish Government to withdraw this proposal. Families have laid bare some of the most frightening, personal, and traumatic moments of their lives in the hope that their voices will finally be heard. Yet there is a growing fear that these experiences will simply be acknowledged and ignored.”
Commenting afterwards, Murdo said, “the government must listen to the concerns of mothers across Scotland.
“In the horrific instance that a parent must see their newly-born child omitted to the NICU, the last thing they should have to worry about is travelling – in some cases – hundreds of miles to see them.
“After hearing the testimony of Lauren and other mothers who have been through this traumatic experience after birth, I will continue to press the government to reverse this decision.”
