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Caithness health issues are to be looked at by senior Scottish minister


By Gordon Calder

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A SENIOR Scottish Government minister is to look at the health issues concerning people in Caithness.

That was said this week by Ron Gunn, vice-chairman of the Caithness Health Action Team (Chat), after a meeting with Scotland's health secretary Jeane Freeman.

Ron Gunn raised health issues with minister Jeane Freeman.
Ron Gunn raised health issues with minister Jeane Freeman.

Mr Gunn told her that around 11,000 people a year have to travel from the county to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness for outpatient appointments, including 500 for orthodontic treatment. Most mothers-to-be from the far north have to go to Raigmore to give birth, while ambulances can be called out of the county to help staff in the Highland capital.

"She did feel the numbers are quite high compared to other areas in the north and said she would look into the issues," Mr Gunn said at Tuesday night's meeting of Thurso Community Council.

He also pointed out that NHS Highland 's new chief executive, Iain Stewart, said steps are being taken to try and reduce the high number of people who have to travel south for appointments.

Mr Gunn said one person had to go to Inverness to get a blood pressure monitor fitted and then had to return the next day to get it removed. "That should have been done in Caithness," he said.

"There is a new management structure in place and they are keen to meet people and listen to what they say. They want to see more clinics back up here but are not making any changes to the maternity service."

Chat chairman Bill Fernie also raised issues about the number of patients having to travel south for appointments. They often go by car and do shopping in Inverness while there and that is impacting on the Caithness economy, he said.

On health services, community councillor Colin Johnston asked why it takes between two and three weeks to get an appointment with a doctor in Thurso. "With a declining population the waiting times should be shorter not longer," he said.

His colleague Alexander Glasgow pointed out most practices have advance nurse practitioners so it is not always necessary to see a doctor.

"I was told I had to see a doctor, not a nurse," Mr Johnston replied.

Community councillor Bert Macleod said: "You have to wait three weeks to see a nurse practitioner. We had a better service years ago."

"We are going backwards now," Mr Johnston added.

Community councillor Gill Arrowsmith suggested contacting the practice managers in Thurso and asking them why patients have to wait so long for an appointment and that was agreed.


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