Staffing problems came close to temporarily suspending Wick’s maternity unit at the start of last month.
NHS Highland yesterday acknowledged that it almost had to transfer all far north mothers-to-be to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness.
The health authority says it cannot rule out the same problem recurring and is to carry out a review of the midwifery cover at Caithness General Hospital.
The staffing shortages first came to the fore in April last year, since when all women requiring induced birth have been referred to Raigmore.
Initially triggered by a larger-than-normal number of sickness absences among midwives, the restriction on the service has continued because of other staffing problems and the need for an updated risk assessment.
The upshot has been that four or five women a month who would previously have given birth at Wick have gone to Inverness.
The crisis at the start of the year was yesterday confirmed by Sheena Craig, general manager of North Highland Community Health Partnership (NHCHP).
Mrs Craig said: “Temporary suspension of the service was considered earlier last month when we had a critical staffing shortage.”
The health authority is battling to resolve staffing problems affecting the baby unit.
These include chronic difficulty in filling vacancies, including the midwifery team leader, and ongoing long-term sick leave.
Mrs Craig said: “There is a difficulty in sustaining the service with the current staffing model, which needs to be reviewed.”
Adding to the headaches has been the need to recruit one of the three consultant posts following the resignation of Dr Ahmed Mohamed.
The cash-strapped health authority is in the meantime having to pay for agency staff.
Local Highland councillor David Flear, a member of NHCHP, last night said: “People in the far north have made clear that what they want is a continuation of the existing consultant-led service.
“That is what we campaigned for and I’m regularly told by officials that there is no threat to the future of the service.
“It’s however something we need to keep a very close eye on.”