Regional Labour MSP Rhoda Grant is delighted to see “light at the end of tunnel” for five kidney dialysis patients who are being forced to travel from Lochalsh to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness for treatment.
NHS Highland has said their preferred option is now to provide an interim dialysis service in the current Broadford Hospital.
It comes after Mrs Grant put pressure on the health service for this critical service to be brought to Skye after she learned in October last year that five patients are having to travel from Lochalsh to Inverness three times a week to undergo dialysis.
NHS Highland has now said a preferred option is to create an interim dialysis service in the day room of the current Broadford Hospital until the new Broadford Hospital is open to where it will be transferred.
Mrs Grant is going to contact the Chief Executive to ask when the service could start in the current Broadford Hospital.
She said: “This is fantastic news for the patients who have to endure a 160 mile return journey, three times a week for treatment in Raigmore Hospital. It will finally feel as if there is a light at the end of the tunnel as the journey must be long and exhausting. I am grateful to NHS Highland for looking into this and for moving forward on this issue.”
Mrs Grant continued: “I understand health professionals are looking into where current activities that are being run could be relocated to before they can provide a dialysis service but I will be asking NHS Highland to keep me updated on this.”
When a patient’s kidneys fail, dialysis treatment keeps the body in balance by removing waste, salt and extra water to prevent them from building up in the body.
