caithnesshealth

‘Step up to the mark or resign’ -Ron Gunn and Richard Gale

The second post today, and with very good reason. Acting in his capacity as an elected Highland Councillor, and Chair of the Highland Council’s Caithness Committee, Ron Gunn has issued an open letter, jointly with Cllr Richard Gale of Golspie, Chair of the Sutherland Committee, in which they make it quite clear that they expectContinue reading “‘Step up to the mark or resign’ -Ron Gunn and Richard Gale”

“A COMPLETE BREAKDOWN OF PROPER RESPONSIBLE GOVERNMENT” – STONE

Today’s Caithness Courier features CHAT on the front page, with the headline “Anger over “pause” in health redesign plans”. No punches have been pulled, and it does not matter what excuses, or attempts to shift the blame, emanate from the usual directions, the facts are simple. The long-promised Health Hubs are “paused” and so is theContinue reading ““A COMPLETE BREAKDOWN OF PROPER RESPONSIBLE GOVERNMENT” – STONE”

“THEY ARE JUST TAKING US FOR GRANTED UP HERE” – RON GUNN

In another powerful news story in the Groat today, CHAT Chairman Ron Gunn has hit out at the ongoing situation faced by Caithness Mums who are obliged to undergo the torturous 100 mile plus journey to Inverness to have their babies. Ron said that the recent heavy snowfall, leading to closure of the A9, bringsContinue reading ““THEY ARE JUST TAKING US FOR GRANTED UP HERE” – RON GUNN”

NUMBER OF AMBULANCE TRANSFERS “ALARMING”

CHAT Chairman, Ron Gunn, has described the number of patients being transferred by ambulance from Caithness and Sutherland to Inverness, as “Quite alarming”. A recent Freedom of Information request shows that there were 483 transfers from Caithness in 2019; 399 in 2020; 468 in 2021; 433 in 2022 and 436 in 2023. In Sutherland, theContinue reading “NUMBER OF AMBULANCE TRANSFERS “ALARMING””

JAMIE STONE – NHS SCOTLAND HAS ABANDONED THE WOMEN OF THE FAR NORTH

Jamie Stone, MP, posted this on his Facebook page today. No need to add anything…… “NHS Scotland has abandoned the women of the Far North. When the roads close up here (which they often do during winter), women are left with *no access* to maternity or specialised health services, unless there happens to be anContinue reading “JAMIE STONE – NHS SCOTLAND HAS ABANDONED THE WOMEN OF THE FAR NORTH”

LATEST NEWS ON MATERNITY CARE IN NHSH AREA

Today, there is a story in the “Caithness Courier” in which it is reported that “Planning permission has been granted for an expansion of maternity wards and services at Raigmore Hospital in Inverness”. Excellent news. But, apparently, NHS Highland says “the expansion will enable MORE WOMEN FROM CAITHNESS, as well as Moray, TO GIVE BIRTHContinue reading “LATEST NEWS ON MATERNITY CARE IN NHSH AREA”

CHAIRMAN OF BRITISH MEDICAL ASSOCIATION IN SCOTLAND – “Urgent Action needed”

Dr Iain Kennedy, the Chairman of the British Medical Association in Scotland has been quoted in the media, calling for “urgent action” to cope with “a critical shortfall of medics in the Highlands, Islands, and rural communities” and is reported as saying that the “NHS in Scotland has a big rural problem”. He is alsoContinue reading “CHAIRMAN OF BRITISH MEDICAL ASSOCIATION IN SCOTLAND – “Urgent Action needed””

YOUNG PATIENT FAMILIES FUND

We know just how expensive it can be for families who need to travel to visit a child who is an inpatient in hospital, we know how important those visits are to everyone, and we also know that many people are not aware of their entitlements, so we will make a point of regularly highlightingContinue reading “YOUNG PATIENT FAMILIES FUND”

STORM GERRIT

Today, we had the “perfect storm”. Flooding. Trees down. A9 blocked. Advice not to travel. CHAT said on Facebook:- “Storm Gerrit today. Roads blocked by trees and air ambulance stuck. NHS HighlandHumza YousafMaree Todd MSP Do you think this is a safer maternity model ? Labouring mums having no choice but to travel on theseContinue reading “STORM GERRIT”

A MATTER OF TIME……

Today, Caithness was hit by severe weather conditions – the A9 was closed, with the snow gates having to be closed at Berriedale. People were stranded in the sub-arctic conditions, driving was lethally dangerous, and the county was effectively completely isolated north of the Ord. Indeed, at time of writing, the A9 is shut –Continue reading “A MATTER OF TIME……”