RHODA GRANT: Movement needed on Highland healthcare and rail
As the Parliament goes back after the summer recess, I look forward to going back and raising the issues that continue to affect Caithness and the Highlands and Islands.
Health continues to be the biggest issue with services being centralised and some women continuing to face lengthy journeys while in labour to Raigmore Hospital.
Caithness requires clarity on where the health services redesign is and whether it will be prioritised by the Scottish Government or continue to be paused. I had hoped that this would happen in a statement when we returned to Parliament, however, I understand it will be part of the 2025/26 Scottish budget, which is usually published around December.
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This not only causes uncertainty for Caithness residents but it causes issues for NHS Highland on where they stand and their future planning.
This additionally affects Raigmore maternity upgrades which are desperately needed – especially if Caithness women have to continue to use them for the foreseeable future. The current facilities are out of date and not fit for purpose. Looking at the big picture, this tactic from the Scottish Government of sticking their heads in the sand will not only frustrate everyone involved but it will cost more to the public purse in the long run.
In more positive news, I am delighted to hear that Scotrail will be reinstating the 10.41am train from Inverness to Wick and the 4pm Wick to Inverness service. This was a concern that was raised multiple times while I was in Caithness over the summer and I acted on, as people depend on these services for onward or return journeys to the central belt and beyond.
To see commonsense prevail is encouraging, however, it does highlight how susceptible these services are to change, cancellation or, in this case, removal altogether.
Next, I would like to see some movement over the Delmore passing loop north of Inverness. This is desperately needed and I have long campaigned for a new passing loop to be installed as it would make trains north of Inverness – including the Far North Line – more reliable and dependable. There was hope last year when Network Rail submitted planning permission, but there has been no update since.
Therefore, I have submitted several Written Parliamentary Questions to the Scottish Government on this.
Both these projects – the Delmore passing loop and NHS capital project future – link into a Scottish Government culture of keeping people in the dark. That is not good governance, nor does it create a good working relationship between government and people. Maybe the SNP should reflect on that when evaluating their poor General Election performance.
