[Scottish Parliament, 06.06.2024] Following his questions to Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes at today’s FMQs, Highlands and Islands MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston said:
“Just when local people on Skye felt some progress might be being made on restoring services at Portree Hospital, it is starting to feel again as though we’re not getting the full story.
“We know that SNP ministers have a copy of NHS Highland’s draft plan, and so I am disappointed that Kate Forbes failed to give me that simple commitment that her government will share that plan with local community stakeholders.
“Local campaigners on Skye have asked repeatedly for sight of the plan but were told that it would discussed with them at a meeting, one that NHS Highland has now cancelled.
“Coming only weeks after the tragic and troubling health incidents in Portree, the reluctance of NHS Highland and SNP ministers to properly engage with the local community – and to allow for their input – is deeply concerning.
“It is those who live in north Skye who are most impacted by the downgrading of these services, and they have vital experiences that they must be allowed to feed into the process.
“The local community is clear that a return to 24/7 urgent care at Portree is their priority, but when I asked Kate Forbes to confirm that it was her government’s priority too, she would only say it was their “aim”.
“That does not inspire confidence given how many times promises have been made but not delivered.
“The Scottish Government should share the draft plan immediately, engage properly with local community stakeholders, and confirm that delivering 24/7 urgent care at Portree is their priority too and not just an aim”.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
Jamie’s questions to Kate Forbes were:
“It seemed as though things might finally be progressing on Skye, with NHS Highland’s draft plan to restore 24/7 urgent care at Portree Hospital submitted to Scottish ministers on the 24th May.
“But despite repeated requests, local campaigners still haven’t received a draft copy of the plan, being told it would be explained to them at a meeting which supposed to take place yesterday but which was cancelled by NHS Highland with less than 24 hours notice.
“So will the Deputy First Minister commit to ensuring that the Scottish Government shares that draft plan with local campaigners immediately.
“And will she also ensure that the priority for the local community – that 24/7 urgent care is restored at Portree Hospital as soon as possible – is also the priority for NHS Highland and for Scottish ministers”.
The full exchange is available here https://www.scottishparliament.tv/meeting/meeting-of-the-parliament-june-6-2024?clip_start=12:43:08&clip_end=12:44:38
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