First Minister says plans to downgrade Wishaw neonatal unit are 'not about saving money'
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said the plans for the neonatal intensive care unit (Nicu) at University Hospital Wishaw show the NHS is 'simply not safe in John Swinney's hands'.
First Minister John Swinney has said plans to downgrade a neonatal unit are 'not about saving money' and instead about saving babies' lives, as he was pressed on the issue by Anas Sarwar.
The Scottish Labour leader said the plans for the neonatal intensive care unit (Nicu) at University Hospital Wishaw show the NHS is 'simply not safe in John Swinney's hands'.
An online petition against the change has surpassed 25,000 signatures.
Under the Government's proposal, the Nicu at Wishaw will be downgraded to level two, meaning babies born earlier than 27 weeks will need to be transferred to another hospital.
Ministers say expert advice points towards having three specialist neonatal intensive care units, in Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow.
The Government also says the vast majority of babies will be cared for in their local neonatal unit, including Wishaw which will still deliver some intensive care.
However campaigners have warned some mothers may face long journeys to see their newborns after birth.
Raising the issue at First Minister's Questions in Holyrood on Thursday, Mr Sarwar said the unit is award-winning and asked: 'Why does the SNP want to downgrade this life-saving unit?'
The First Minister said the proposals are the 'product of advice from an expert group' which recommended three specialist centres.
The babies affected will only be those needing 'extremes' of care, he said.
Mr Sarwar went on to say Mr Swinney is 'choosing to listen to certain experts and ignore others', as he raised the cases of two women.
He said Tammy Johnston was unable to pick up her premature son Kai for four weeks.
Mr Sarwar said under the plans, she could be forced to travel to Aberdeen, or further.
He also said another woman, Amanda Todd, had been told she may have to give birth in Dublin due to a shortage of beds, and he added: 'Isn't it the case that the NHS is simply not safe in John Swinney's hands.'
Mr Swinney said he cannot ignore expert clinical opinion.
He said: 'There is nothing in the proposal about Wishaw general hospital that is about saving money, it's about maximising the chances of saving babies' lives.
'That's what the proposal is about, informed by expert opinion.'
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