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New equipment store ushers in new era for Uist and Barra patient care

March 24, 2017

 
A new community equipment store in Balivanich was recently opened by NHS Western Isles and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, heralding the first time that all Uist and Barra community equipment will be located in the same building.

The £441,000 investment new build, conveniently located beside Ospadal Uibhist agus Bharraigh, will ensure an extensive community equipment core stock is continuously held and available when needed. 

Designed by local architect Dr. Gordon Anderson and built by local contractors J.J. Macdonald Contractors, an additional facility has also been incorporated into the new store to enable staff to access training for the assessment and prescribing of standard equipment.

Sonja Smit, NHS Western Isles Occupational Therapy Services Manager, said: “We are delighted with our fantastic new building.  It really is a first class facility to help us deliver a first class service. 

“I must pay tribute to the staff who have worked hard in so many different environments over the years to deliver a quality service to our clients; I know they are going to enjoy working in this amazing new store.

“The new purpose-built storage facility will enable all community equipment to be housed in a central location, where in previous years a number of buildings were used.  On behalf of the Community Equipment Service, I would like to convey our thanks to the local community and businesses for their help and flexibility over the years.” 

Gordon Jamieson, NHS Western Isles Chief Executive, said: “It’s been a long held aspiration of mine to improve and speed up the provision of equipment and aids to allow people to stay and be cared for in their own homes and community in Uist. 

“This new build means that people can access the right equipment at the right time, and be properly supported after hospital discharge.  It really is a facility to be proud of and it will transform the lives of our patients in Uist and Barra.”

Pictured cutting the ribbon (L-R): Alison Docherty, iHub Equipment Lead for Place, Home & Housing; J.J. MacDonald, local contractor; Neil Galbraith, NHS Western Isles Chairman; Gordon Jamieson, NHS Western Isles Chief Executive, and Sonja Smit, NHS Western Isles Occupational Therapy Services Manager.

Filed Under: Health, News

New endoscopy unit opens at Ospadal Uibhist agus Bharraigh

March 24, 2017

New £380,000 endoscopy equipment has been installed in Ospadal Uibhist agus Bharraigh in Benbecula.

NHS Western Isles said the investment is in line with Health Board policy of providing high quality health services for patients as close to home as possible. 

Neil Galbraith, Chairman of NHS Western Isles, said: “I am delighted with this development bringing the latest available technology to Ospadal Uibhist agus Bharraigh.”

Gordon Jamieson, Chief Executive of NHS Western Isles, said: “This new unit replaces existing equipment and is state of the art, it doesn’t get any better.

“The new unit has a scope guide which reduces the time taken to perform a full colonoscopy whilst reducing the level of patient discomfort. The guide also allows the clinician to see real time three-dimensional reconstruction of the scope position and shape.”

Lachlan Mac Pherson, NHS Western Isles Hospitals Manager, said: “Local staff should be commended for their hard work and professionalism, which has resulted in a seamless transfer from existing facilities to the new endoscopy unit.”

Pictured with the new endoscopy unit (L-R): Neil Galbraith, NHS Western Isles Chairman, Gordon Jamieson, NHS Western Isles Chief Executive, and Angus MacLennan, Ospadal Uibhist agus Bharraigh Senior Charge Nurse.

Filed Under: Health, News

International military exercise set to get underway off Hebrides

March 22, 2017

The Hebrides will see elements of a major military exercise when Exercise Joint Warrior gets underway this coming weekend.

Thousands of service personnel from all three branches of the UK military, and personnel from allied and partner nations, will take part in the exercise which is scheduled to begin on 26th March and run on until 6th April.

Exercise activity will include:

  • Naval activity focussed off the Western and Northern coasts of Scotland with 35 naval units participating.
  • Live firing activity at Cape Wrath weapons range in the North of Scotland as well as GPS denial operations at the Cape and Loch Ewe for limited periods.  Relevant authorities, including aviation and maritime communities, have been consulted and procedures are in place for unforeseen eventualities. 

One of the largest military exercises in Europe, Joint Warrior will see maritime activity from units from Denmark, Belgium, Estonia, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, the UK and the USA. 

The exercise is being co-ordinated by around 430 additional personnel from the Joint Tactical Exercise Planning Staff – or JTEPS – working from HM Naval Base Clyde’s Maritime Operations Centre.

RAF Lossiemouth and HMS Gannet at Prestwick will also host aircraft during the fortnight with around 34 fixed wing and 18 rotary aircraft from France, Germany, the UK and US participating. 

Meanwhile, on land, 16 Air Assault Brigade Headquarters and the associated Battle Group, 2 PARA, will join troops from the Netherlands, Sweden and the US.  

The exercise will provide the UK, allies and partner nations the opportunity to practice the vital skills needed on the modern battlefield.

During the fortnight skills such as maritime task force training, anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, mine counter measures training, maritime security operations, close air support, intelligence gathering, electronic warfare training, and GPS denial operations will all be practiced. 

Exercise Joint Warrior is held twice a year, in the spring and autumn, and participation is open to all NATO allies and partners, providing high quality operational training.

For more information on Exercise Joint Warrior, including notices to mariners and details of GPS denial operations, please visit Queen’s Harbour Master Clyde’s (QHM Clyde) webpage at:  www.royalnavy.mod.uk/qhm/clyde/jw.

Pictured: HMS BLYTH & RAMSAY return to HMNB Clyde after a long deployment in the Gulf. The Sandown Class minesweepers returned to a warm welcome from the whole HMNB Clyde and thier awaiting families.

Filed Under: News

Uist ladies ‘Celebrate the Cailleach’ for International Women’s Day

March 20, 2017

This year for International Women’s Day, ladies from Uist and Benbecula marked the achievements of older women with an event entitled ‘Celebrating the Cailleach’, which is an affectionate Gàidhlig term for an older woman. International Women’s Day is held to celebrate the achievements of all women throughout the world. 

Held on 8th March in Grogarry Lodge, South Uist, ‘Celebrating the Cailleach’ brought together women to celebrate and share the wit, wisdom, grace and grit of growing older.

In total there was 1834 years of knowledge and experience between all the ‘cailleachs’ who attended, which made for a fun, energised and joyful event.

Norma Neill, Chair of the Uist and Barra Planning Group, said: “It was a wonderful event designed to give women from many different nationalities and backgrounds a chance to get together to support each other through the ageing process and in ‘Having the Time of their Lives!’

“I would like to thank the NHS Western Isles’ Health Promotion team and my colleagues on the planning group for all their efforts in making the event so successful.  We look forward to being involved in some of the spin-offs that will come from the day.”

Isabel Steele, NHS Western Isles’ Senior Health Improvement Officer, said: “It was a pleasure to work with so many talented women in such a creative way. The day identified issues for us to address and many reasons for us celebrating growing old.

“One fun workshop on the menopause taught us about many things and through sharing their stories, the women gave valuable hints and tips in surviving this stage in life which we can share with other women.”

Pictured are participants at the International Women’s Day event held at Groggary Lodge, South Uist.

Filed Under: Health, News

Crofting Commission: Iain MacIver elected for Western Isles

March 17, 2017

Iain MacIver has been elected to the Crofting Commission representing the Western Isles.

He received 1069 votes.

2128 votes were cast in total in the constituency, with 1059 going to Alasdair MacEachen, the only other candidate standing.

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Filed Under: Crofting, News Tagged With: Alasdair MacEachen, Crofting, Crofting Commission, Iain MacIver, Western Isles

South Uist hero at Iraq and Afghanistan memorial unveiling

March 15, 2017

Last week saw the unveiling of a new memorial in London honouring the service and duty of those who fought in conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

More than 800 UK military personnel and civilians died in three wars between 1990 and 2015.

Her Majesty the Queen dedicated the memorial, which also recognises the contribution made by civilians in the conflicts, last Thursday.

Among those present at the ceremony was SSgt Donald Campbell CGC from Iochdar, South Uist, and his wife Amy of Griminish, Benbecula.

A member of 39 Engineer Regiment, SSgt Campbell was awarded the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross (CGC) in March 2008 for his bravery in Afghanistan. Second only to the Victoria Cross, the CGC is a second level military decoration of the British Armed Forces.

SSgt Campbell was awarded his CGC for driving an unarmoured and unprotected piece of plant into an enemy killing zone and was ‘under very intense, accurate fire for a considerable amount of time’.  The then 26 year old moved his front loader vehicle towards the enemy offering a huge and vulnerable target, then, when in position, climbed out of his cab to release the fascine (large bunch of pipes) into the ditch in front of him which allowed the following armoured vehicles to cross.  He refused to seek cover even when bullets, rocket propelled grenades and mortar fire shattered the windows of his cab badly damaging his vehicle, missing him by inches.

Donald grew up in Iochdar, South Uist, while his wife Amy is from Griminish, Benbecula.  Pictured at the memorial unveiling last week, the couple live with their two young children in Forres, but maintain very strong links with the islands.

Filed Under: News

Success for Sgoil Lionacleit STEM Club

March 14, 2017

A group of pupils from Sgoil Lionacleit recently travelled to Inverness to take part in the annual regional celebration of Young Engineer’s and Science clubs in schools across the Highlands and Islands.

The pupils represented Sgoil Lionacleit at the event and showcased the work they have been doing as part of their weekly STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) club. They showed off their ‘Rampaging Chariot’ and discussed progress they had made with a variety of projects in electronics, soldering, robotics and coding as well as their entry for the ‘Construct-a-Crane’ competition.

At the event, attended by primary and secondary schools from Moray, Highlands and Western Isles, each group took on a variety of STEM challenges run by a variety of companies to promote STEM in careers.

The pupils worked as a team to solve several problems, but it was with their own crane that they had constructed in the school workshop where the team shone. Having built a crane to enter the competition, the boys managed to score the first perfect score in the regional heats in record time. Sgoil Lionacleit STEM club were crowned the winners of the S1-3 category against serious competition. Having won the regional event and bringing a trophy back to Sgoil Lionacleit, the group are now hoping to build on this success in the national finals in June.

The six pupils from S1 and S3 were accompanied by Mr Fraser, Principal Teacher of Technical and Art, as well as local STEM Ambassador, Howard Manning from QinetiQ, who runs the club with the school.

Photo: Winning pupils (10317 Young Engineers 089) Kyle MacDonald, Stewart MacDonald, Jack McIlwraith, Kenny Ballantyne, Kory Shaw and Asher Kuzma pictured with representatives from Aquascot and Morrison Construction.

 

Filed Under: News

Local Government Election 2017 – Notice of Election

March 14, 2017

Councillors are to be elected for each of the nine wards of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, with the number of members to be elected for each ward as follows:

Nomination forms can be obtained from the Election Office at Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Sandwick Road, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis or at the Comhairle nan Eilean Siar offices in Tarbert, Balivanich and Barra.  These offices are open for the issue and delivery of nomination papers on weekdays from Tuesday 14th March 2017 between 10am to 4pm.

Completed nomination forms must be delivered to the Returning Officer at one of the above addresses by 4pm on Wednesday 29th March 2017.

An election will be held in each contested ward and voting will take place between 7am and 10pm on Thursday 4th May 2017.

Applications to register to vote must reach the Electoral Registration Officer, 42 Point Street, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis by midnight on Monday 17th April 2017. Applications can be made online: https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote

Postal or Proxy Voting:

Any elector may apply for a postal or proxy vote at this election.

Applications, amendments or cancellations of postal votes must reach the Electoral Registration Officer, 42 Point Street, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis by 5pm on Tuesday 18th April 2017.

Applications to vote by proxy at this election must reach the Electoral Registration Officer, 42 Point Street, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis by 5pm on Tuesday 25th April 2017.

Applications to amend or cancel existing proxy arrangements must reach the Electoral Registration Officer, 42 Point Street, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis by 5pm on Tuesday 18th April 2017.

Applications to vote by proxy at this election applied for on grounds of physical incapacity or for work/service reasons must reach the Electoral Registration Officer, 42 Point Street, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis by 5pm on Thursday 4th May 2017. The physical incapacity must have occurred after 5pm on Tuesday 25th April 2017.  To apply on the grounds of work/service, the person must have become aware that they cannot go to the polling station in person after 5pm on Tuesday 25th April 2017.

For advice on postal or proxy voting, contact the Electoral Registration Officer, 42 Point Street, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, telephone 01851 706262, email:  ero@highland.gov.uk

Filed Under: Local Government, News

Allan says Scotland must have choice over future

March 14, 2017

Alasdair Allan MSP has said Scotland must now be allowed to choose what kind of country it wants to be. This follows the First Minister’s announcement yesterday (13th March 2017) that she will ask the Scottish Parliament to back the idea of a second independence referendum.

Alasdair Allan said that despite lengthy attempts by the Scottish Government to find compromise, it was now increasingly obvious that the choice was between a Tory hard Brexit and becoming an independent country.

The move comes as the UK Government prepares to trigger ‘Article 50’ and begin the process of leaving the EU.

Alasdair Allan, who is Scotland’s Europe Minister, has said that it has become clear that the UK Government has no intention of respecting Scotland’s 62% vote to remain in the EU.

55% of people in the Western Isles voted to remain in Europe.

Alasdair Allan MSP commented: “Throughout the entire Brexit process to date, the Scottish Government has been consistent in its pursuit of a compromise with the UK Government, putting forward substantial proposals for Scotland to remain in the single market – yet the UK government has rejected these and is pursuing an ever harder line.

“It is within this context, with the UK government intent on pursuing a damaging hard Brexit, and set to trigger Article 50 without communicating with the devolved governments, that it has become ever clearer that the people of Scotland must be offered a choice over our future.

“The Scottish Government will always stand up for Scotland’s interests and we are intent on protecting Scotland’s place in the single market. The people of Scotland deserve to choose, once the terms of Brexit are clear and before it is too late to decide our own path, honouring the manifesto pledge that we were elected on last year.

“Scotland now stands at a crossroads, and we cannot drift along for two years hoping for the best. We face the real prospect of right-wing Tory governments until at least 2030, and being dragged out of the EU and Single Market, with all the damage to our economy and society that will cause.”

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Filed Under: News

CMAL gives update on new ferry construction

March 9, 2017

One of the new vessels under construction will replace MV Hebrides.

Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL) has announced that construction of two new dual fuel ferries – one of which is destined for the Uig-Lochmaddy-Tarbert triangle route – is approaching a new project milestone as the first vessel, currently known as Hull 801, nears the 75 per cent steelwork fabrication stage. 

Hull 802 is following closely behind, currently at 60 per cent steelwork fabrication.

The 102 metre vessels will be capable of operating on liquefied natural gas (LNG) and marine gas oil (MGO), reducing emissions to help meet Scottish Government reduction targets across transport.  They are being designed to provide a fully flexible, year-round service for Arran and the Skye triangle routes.

Last month, the dual fuel engines that will power the vessels were delivered to Ferguson Marine Engineering Limited’s shipyard in Port Glasgow, where the ships are being built.  The 147m3 LNG tanks supplied by Wartsila – a stand out feature of the new vessels, measuring 20.4 metres in length and 4 metres in diameter – are nearing completion and are expected to be delivered to the shipyard in June 2017.  Work is also underway on the aluminium superstructure that will form the accommodation block of the ships.

The new ships will be highly manoeuvrable, with Twist Flow Costa Bulb Flap Rudders, three 620 kW bow thrusters and a 480 kW stern thruster.  An innovative stern ramp will slide transversely, allowing the ships to operate on several routes across the service network.

CMAL, which owns ferries, ports and harbours across the west coast of Scotland, has published a series of project photos of the hulls, engines and fuel tanks, as well as artist impressions to visualise what the ships will look like when complete.

Jim Anderson, Director of Vessels at Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL), said: “It is an impressive sight to see the two vessels being built side by side and the stage of fabrication now allows us to see the vessel form taking shape on the slipway at the shipyard.  Hull 801 is approaching the 75 per cent fabrication stage, with Hull 802 following closely behind.  The yard is now moving into the main equipment installation stage of the vessels.

“The LNG fuel tanks are hugely impressive and their planned delivery reminds us of the scale of the project we are delivering.  The design and build of these dual fuel vessels is a highly complex technical project, the first of its kind in Scotland – and indeed the UK.  They represent CMAL’s commitment to exploring new technologies for ferries, as well as a wider commitment to innovation in Scotland and consideration for the environmental impact of transport.”

Liam Campbell, Managing Director at Ferguson Marine Engineering Ltd said: “We are now entering a stage of the build on the vessels that will see much of the equipment being delivered and allow us to further advance the outfitting of the vessels both on the slipway and in the module hall.  These vessels, although complex, allow the yard invaluable experience in LNG vessels and, mixed with the experience we have gained in previous CMAL builds with hybrid propulsion vessels, puts us in a great position to serve the industry with state of the art vessels.”

 The new vessels are earmarked for the Arran and Skye triangle routes, although the final decision on routes is subject to review by CalMac Ferries Ltd, CMAL and Transport Scotland.  The first ferry is expected to enter service in the second half of 2018, with the second vessel following a few months later.

Filed Under: News, Transport

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Recent News

  • New equipment store ushers in new era for Uist and Barra patient care
  • New endoscopy unit opens at Ospadal Uibhist agus Bharraigh
  • International military exercise set to get underway off Hebrides
  • Uist ladies ‘Celebrate the Cailleach’ for International Women’s Day
  • Crofting Commission: Iain MacIver elected for Western Isles
  • South Uist hero at Iraq and Afghanistan memorial unveiling
  • Success for Sgoil Lionacleit STEM Club
  • Local Government Election 2017 – Notice of Election
  • Allan says Scotland must have choice over future
  • CMAL gives update on new ferry construction

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