Richard Leonard visits University Hospital, Wishaw, Wednesday 8th May 2019

Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard and Health spokesperson Monica Lennon met with midwives in NHS Lanarkshire, ahead of a Scottish Labour debate which calls on the SNP Government to invest an additional £10 million for the implementation of Best Start and to investigate claims that midwives are not being given sufficient resources to do their jobs...Scottish Labour will use parliamentary time this week to call on the SNP Government to investigate reports that midwives do not have enough resources to do their jobs safely...Concerns have been raised in an open letter by midwives in NHS Lothian, which claim they do not have enough computers, equipment and pool cars...Scottish Labour have also called for an additional £10 million to be allocated towards the implementation of the Best Start recommendations, to ensure that midwives are given adequate time, training and resources...Scottish Labour Health Spokesperson Monica Lennon said:..“Midwives play a crucial role in caring for women and babies. The best way of recognising their contribution to our NHS is by making sure they have enough resources to do their jobs safely...“That’s why Scottish Labour is calling on the SNP Government to investigate reports about a lack of equipment and resources, and to provide an additional £10 million towards the implementation of the Best Start recommendations...“The Health Secretary must listen to the concerns of midwives and take urgent action to address the workforce crisis.”..Pictured: Richard Leonard and Monica Lennon with the midwives..Alex Todd | Edinburgh Elite media