'People deserve better,' says Jamie Stone following concerns about healthcare provision in Caithness
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Local MP Jamie Stone has expressed concern about healthcare provision in the far north after receiving a plea for help from one of his constituents.
Colin Lloyd, of Dunnet, wrote to the Liberal Democrat MP for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, questioning the need to travel to hospital in Wick for blood work – a round trip of 40 miles – rather than go to his local surgery as he used to do.
Mr Lloyd (78), who has suffered from poor health for a number of years, explained that up until last year, if blood work was required by his consultants, arrangements would be made for him to visit his local surgery in Castletown.
"Last year, I was informed that arrangements would be made for me to attend Caithness General Hospital to give the necessary blood work," he said.
"This meant I had to travel a 40-mile round trip to the hospital instead of the six mile round trip to my surgery."
Mr Lloyd was given different reasons for the decision, and questioned the duty of care provided by the NHS.
He continued: "I am fortunate in as much as I am 78-years-old and despite not being very well, I can still drive myself to Caithness General to receive this treatment. There are many people in your constituency, I am reliably informed, cannot.
"People from all over the Caithness area are subject to harrowing bus journeys from their home to Wick.
"What I would respectfully request you to do is consider the old and infirm people of the Highlands in your constituency who have to make this journey by public transport.
"This may take up a whole day of their life. Of course, they are further jeopardised by possibly coming into contact with other travellers who may be carrying infections.
"Can this be the duty of care of the Scottish NHS to impose such appalling travel conditions on people who, I'm sure you will agree, do not deserve these impositions."
In response Mr Stone said: "Healthcare provision seems to be moving increasingly further away for patients in the far north, as evidenced by Mr Lloyd’s own experiences and countless others.
"GP surgeries do an enormous amount of work in the community and they deserve a fair funding settlement so that they can continue to provide routine services locally.
"A full day of travel to attend a healthcare appointment is a mammoth logistical challenge, not to mention the pain and distress patients are often in.
"Whether it’s public transport cancellations, a lack of available childcare, lost wages or the rising cost of fuel, the barriers are significant. People deserve better."
