Options being looked at on orthodontic treatment, says Caithness councillor
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OPTIONS are being explored to try and reduce the number of people from Caithness travelling to Inverness for specialist dental appointments, a local councillor has said.
Karl Rosie, who represents Thurso and Northwest Caithness on Highland Council, was speaking after meeting NHS Highland's new chief executive, Iain Stewart.
Councillor Rosie said it was agreed to look at ways of cutting the number of children and adults who have to go to Raigmore Hospital for orthodontic treatment – a speciality of dentistry which deals with improperly positioned teeth and jaws.
"Discussions are ongoing and I have been told arrangements will be in place as soon as possible to deal with this problem," he said.
Councillor Rosie described as "totally unacceptable" the number of Caithness patients who have to travel to Inverness for orthodontic treatment and is pleased the issue is being addressed.
It is estimated that around 900 people in the Highlands have to travel to Raigmore every year for treatment that is unavailable in their own area.
The difficulties encountered by local people were highlighted by the case of Georgia Smith from Castletown, who required specialist dental treatment in Inverness over a six-year period.
She had to have regular check-ups on her teeth but some appointments lasted only 15 minutes.
The matter was taken up by Caithness Heath Action Team (Chat) which urged NHS Highland run clinics in the far north.
Chat chairman Bill Fernie, speaking at the end of last year, said: "Surely NHS Highland could organise someone to come up and run clinics here. It is all very well providing a service in Inverness but that is 100 miles away and is a massive inconvenience for the population in the north of Scotland."
A spokesman for NHS Highland said: "We are exploring a range of options, including looking at creating extra capacity at Caithness General Hospital and potential options with the private sector."
The Thurso councillor also spoke to the new chief executive about the number of local women who have to give birth at Raigmore.
After the meeting, Councillor Rosie – who was told Caithness has been chosen for a pilot project on a new care programme – said: "I am very pleased the new chief executive is taking these issues on board. It was my first meeting with him and I was very impressed with his approach and understanding of the situation facing Caithness.
"We are trying to regenerate the area and we have to work towards achieving effective and efficient services."
