Election victory for the Erskine couple after the tragic death of their son

In January 2021, Stuart and Ami Geddes' baby son, Clark, had to be delivered at 24 weeks to save Ami's life after complications arose during her second pregnancy.

Unfortunately, Clark passed away at the age of only 12 days.

As we reported in May, the couple and UK charity Action on Pre-eclampsia (APEC) launched Clark's campaign to demand access to pre-eclampsia testing in Scotland for every pregnant woman who needs it.

Stuart said: “When Ami and I got Clark he was doing perfectly but his lungs just weren’t strong enough and tragically he died.

“Since then, we have been campaigning to ensure that women in Scotland who really need it can have appropriate pre-eclampsia testing.

“It is great news that the Scottish Government will fund this thanks to Clark’s campaign.

“We couldn’t be more proud that our little man’s life will save the lives of mothers and babies here in his own country.”

Preeclampsia is a condition that affects some pregnant women, usually in the second half of pregnancy starting at 20 weeks or shortly after the baby is born.

Early signs of preeclampsia include high blood pressure and protein in the urine.

If the disease is not detected early and carefully monitored, it can lead to serious complications.

The placental growth factor (PLGF) test is a life-saving test that allows the disease to be ruled out on the same day, reducing stress and anxiety for those who have been given the all-clear and allowing those who need it to start treatment quickly.

This simple blood test has been used in the British NHS since 2016.

According to APEC, the Scottish Health Technologies Group has recommended this for 2023, but not a single health authority in Scotland has yet implemented it.

The campaigners met with First Minister John Swinney on 8 August to discuss the need to ensure access to testing across Scotland.

To ensure that the PGLF test can be offered across Scotland, funding of £259,000 will now be distributed to all 14 territorial health boards in Scotland.

Health Minister Neil Gray said: “The new placental growth factor-based blood test is an effective way to diagnose pre-eclampsia and the Scottish Government is committed to making it available across Scotland.”

“To underline this commitment, we are providing funding shared by all our health authorities to ensure this service can be delivered in 2024-25.”

Marcus Green, chief executive of APEC, told the Gazette: “There is no doubt that access to these tests will help save the lives of mothers and babies across Scotland and finally give them the care they need.”

“We launched Clark’s campaign alongside Ami and Stuart Geddes in memory of their little boy so that no other parent has to experience the tragedy of losing their baby to pre-eclampsia.

“It is thanks to them and all other families like them that this result is so important.”