Lauren Bruce from Blairgowrie is one of those who fears any reduction in local intensive care provision will be unsafe because of existing capacity issues across Scotland.
Her daughter Grace was born at 37 weeks at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee in March.
Moments after the birth Grace became extremely ill and was admitted to one of four NICU cots at the unit. Under the plans, the number of cots will be reduced to one or two.
Lauren says three other babies needed intensive care on the night Grace was born, but she was told there was no capacity anywhere in Scotland.
“I think that really highlights the pressure that these hospitals are already facing with four intensive care cots there,” she said. “What’s it going to be like when it’s only one?”
Kelly Dalley knew her baby had a heart condition and was expecting to travel from Dundee to Glasgow for surgery after she was born.
However, Annabel was delivered prematurely at 32 weeks. When she was 12 days old she became seriously unwell.
“At that point there was no space in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen and staff at Ninewells kept her alive until she was stable,” said Kelly.
She is also concerned that any reduction in intensive care cot numbers at Ninewells would be unsafe.
“I dread to think what the outcome would have been if that capacity at Ninewells wasn’t there,” she added.
