Ospadal Uibhist agus Bharraigh Archives

Proposal to move Griminish Medical Practice to Ospadal Uibhist agus Bharraigh

June 12, 2015

Ospadal Uibhist agus Bharraigh.

Am Pàipear has learned that NHS Western Isles is considering re-locating Griminish Medical Practice and other health board staff currently based around the islands to Ospadal Uibhist agus Bharraigh.

Plans to centralise the three existing dental practices in Lochboisdale, Liniclate and Lochmaddy at the hospital have already been announced, and are due to be discussed as part of a public consultation process.

Bringing the three dental practices, Benbecula surgery and other NHS staff together within the hospital are part of plans to create a “health hub” on the site, NHS Western Isles has said.

At this stage it remains unclear what has prompted the proposal to centralise services in Balivanich, or which spaces within Ospadal Uibhist agus Bharraigh would be re-developed to accommodate the three dental clinics, GP surgery and additional staff.

Explaining the proposals as they stand, a spokesperson for NHS Western Isles told Am Pàipear: “A full range of options to make best use of the Ospadal Uibhist agus Bharraigh site in the future will be developed through a consultation process later this year.

“At this stage, NHS Western Isles is proposing that the options for consideration should include bringing Griminish Practice, dental services and staff at other locations on to the hospital site, to create a health hub.

“We look forward to discussing all potential options with the public and staff in the Uists later this year, so that they can give their views on how the site could be developed and improved, and where services in other locations should be located in future.

“The main consultation events will be a planning and strategy day for staff in September 2015, followed by a public event in Uist in November 2015.

“However, there will be a wide range of opportunities available in addition to these events for staff to provide their views.”

More on this story as it develops. If you have any views on the proposals, please contact Am Pàipear on 01970603299 or editor@ampaipear.org.uk

Health Secretary responds to Uist healthcare changes concerns

March 6, 2015

Statement from Andrew Walker, Benbecula Community Councillor:

I am pleased to report that the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Well-Being, Shona Robison MSP, has now responded to my letter of 2^nd February, with the following unequivocal statement:

“Should any proposals be considered to constitute major service change, they must be subject to full, formal public consultation and, ultimately, ministerial approval.”

The letter received late yesterday (5th March 2015) goes on to say:

“When Health Boards are reviewing and considering changes to the services they provide to local people, the Cabinet Secretary expects boards to communicate and engage with all local stakeholders, and the process NHS Boards should follow is set out in national guidance ‘Informing, Engaging and Consulting People in Developing Health and Community Services’.”

This decision is in keeping with the strong views communicated also in recent press releases from Benbecula Community Council on 5^th February and the Association of Community Councils on 13^th February. The trade union, UNISON, also issued a press release in support of both staff employed at the hospital, and patients.

Concerted action by all concerned stakeholders at a local level has now resulted in decisive action and intervention by the Cabinet Secretary. I expect that common sense shall now prevail in terms of process and procedure when a decision of this magnitude is in the offing – cutting bed numbers by 44% and proposals to move three dental practices into the hospital. This constitutes “major service change”.

The letter also contains a mild rebuke aimed at our NHS Western Isles board, which I hope the chairman, Neil Galbraith, and Chief Executive, Gordon Jamieson, will respect, both now and as we move forward in meaningful consultation:

“I am sorry to learn you have concerns around the Board’s engagement process with local people in relation to reducing the number of beds at Uist and Barra Hospital, please be assured your comments have been noted.”

I expect an immediate announcement now from the NHS Western Isles board, informing all stakeholders that there is an immediate moratorium on the decision to cut bed numbers at Ospadal Uibhist agus Bharraigh by 44% and that a process of consultation will commence. This should include the Comhairle, where councillors carry major concerns now about the eight beds designated as ‘continuing care beds’.

Call for moratorium on Uist healthcare changes

February 16, 2015

A call has been made for Health Minister Shona Robison MSP to issue a moratorium on proposed changes to healthcare provision in Uist until new health and social care integration structures are in place.

Uist Association of Community Councils (UACC) says moves to reduce bed numbers at Ospadal Uibhist agus Bharraigh and relocate dental surgeries to the hospital should be stalled until NHS Western Isles and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar have formed a new body to deliver adult health and social care services in the Outer Hebrides.

At a meeting on Thursday 12^th February, representatives from each of the six local community councils, along with local councillors, discussed significant concerns about a decision by NHS Western Isles to cut the number of beds at Ospadal Uibhist agus Bharraigh from 29 to 16.

UACC also discussed the upcoming consultation on plans to relocate the three existing dental practices at Lochmaddy, Lochboisdale and Lionacleit into the hospital at Balivanich.

UACC members said they had already received considerable representation on the latter proposal, and suggested a direct relationship between both proposals – relocating the three dental practices appears to be dependent on creating space at the hospital by cutting bed numbers.

In a statement, UACC said: “[UACC] regrets the manner in which these announcements were made, without any consultation whatsoever with the affected communities, and at a time when the Health Board and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar have just began a consultation on proposals for Integrated health and social care services.

“The association is firmly of the view that any changes being proposed for Ospadal Uibhist agus Bharraigh will inevitably impact on community-based health and social care services, and any significant change of function being considered for the hospital, should not be decided upon in isolation.

“For example, the association wishes to clarify the status of the eight beds at the hospital originally designated as ‘continuing care beds’ for patients with chronic long-term medical conditions. Do these beds still remain within the 16 bed designation? It is a known fact that local authority provision in the two residential care homes are facing increasing pressures as a result of demographic trends, and they operate at 100% capacity with waiting lists.”

UACC members unanimously decided to write to the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Well-Being, Shona Robison MSP, to request her immediate intervention, recommending that a moratorium be called on both proposals until such time as the newly constituted integrated joint board and managers have had an opportunity to comprehensively assess the diverse and challenging health and social care needs of the communities served by the hospital.

Benbecula Community Council raises healthcare concerns

February 9, 2015

Benbecula Community Council has raised concerns about healthcare in Uist.

Benbecula Community Council (BCC) has raised a series of concerns regarding the provision of healthcare in Uist and is seeking a meeting to raise matters further.

At its meeting on Tuesday 3rd February, BCC discussed the decisions announced by NHS Western Isles late last year, to reduce regular bed capacity at Ospadal Uibhist agus Bharraigh from 29 to 16, and to consult on a proposal to relocate the three existing dental practices at Lochboisdale, Lionacleit and Lochmaddy to the hospital in Balivanich.

Councillors were unanimous in their support of the published letter written by community councillor Andrew Walker to the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Well-Being, Shona Robinson MSP, copied to local elected members.

BCC said it was surprised Western Isles Health Board had chosen to proceed to implement this decision to reduce hospital bed numbers without any consultation whatsoever with the communities affected. It is, says BCC, presented as a fait accompli as though the views of local constituents, and existing or prospective patients, are unimportant.

Councillors discussed the wider ramifications of this decision. Anecdotal evidence was heard about the negative impact and high costs associated with patients having to travel long distances for fairly minor procedures.

BCC highlighted the lack of residential care home places and community-based health and social care services, running contrary to the Scottish Government agenda of shifting the balance of care from hospitals to the community. BCC says that the decision taken by NHS Western Isles will inevitably result in staff redundancies, with no apparent consequential increase in community-based staff being employed.

BCC also voiced concerns about the lack of funding for a Mental Health Outreach Worker post beyond April of this year and the lack of a replacement MacMillan Nurse, after the departure of Lorna Senior on her retirement.

BCC will be writing to the chair of the newly formed Association of Community Councils, Cllr Uisdean Robertson, requesting an early meeting to discuss the above concerns, which affect all Uist and Barra households.

Proposal to move Griminish Medical Practice to Ospadal Uibhist agus Bharraigh

Health Secretary responds to Uist healthcare changes concerns

Call for moratorium on Uist healthcare changes

Benbecula Community Council raises healthcare concerns

SEARCH

DEADLINES

ADVERTISE

CONTACT US