A CALL is being made for everyone to have their say on two options for the future of maternity services in Wigtownshire. The consultation will run from 20th November 2023 until at least 11th February 2024.
A series of in-person events and an online survey will set out the options to provide a birthing service for pre-planned, ‘low-risk’ births – which represent around 23% of all pregnancies in Wigtownshire.
Engagement earlier in 2023 gathered the thoughts of stakeholders, including service users and staff. The work took place under the direction of independent chairs, and the findings were used to develop several different options for birthing services.
After the options were scored, two shared first place. One was for the current arrangements, providing only for low-risk home births. The second option would allow pre-planned births within Galloway Community Hospital, but only for the same relatively small number of low-risk births and with the same level of support provided for home births.
This second option was narrowly preferred by the independent chairs when the scores by local professional NHS staff were excluded.
More information on the independent review
The full report of the independent review
Both options are now the subject of this formal consultation. Its findings will be used to help develop a recommendation which will be brought to Dumfries and Galloway Integration Joint Board.
More information
Background information pack on maternity services in Wigtownshire
A two-page summary of the information pack
Animation explaining the consultation
To take part in the consultation
Click here to complete our online survey
Click here to download the survey – you can print it out and return it to us by post
Click here to download a copy of our Easy Read survey
Or attend one of our in-person events:
Stranraer Library – 30th November 2023, 1230-1530
Lesser Parish Church Hall, Lochancroft Lane, Wigtown – 6th December 2023, 1000-1200
McMillan Hall, Newton Stewart – 6th December 2023, 1330-1530
Online meetings – 12th and 17th January 2024, all day (email to book your one-hour slot)
For more information, to return a completed consultation document, or to book your online meeting slot, please contact:
Communications Team
DGRI
A75
Cargenbridge
DG2 8RX
Email: dgcommunications@nhs.scot