Author: Rhoda Grant

Highlands and Islands Labour MSP, Rhoda Grant, has welcomed the commencement of a safety study on the A9 trunk road between North Kessock and Tore on the Black Isle.

The MSP has been calling for improvements at the Munlochy junction on this stretch of road since she was contacted by constituents who use the road regularly.

Mrs Grant said “Constituents contacted me with suggestions on how to make the junction safer and I have fed these in to the Transport Secretary and to Transport Scotland.

“I know the level of concern there is locally about having to cross the busy A9 dual carriageway to either enter or leave the Munlochy junction when travelling north and I am arranging to speak directly with the consultants who have been appointed to carry out the study of the area.

“I am pleased to see this next step taking place and I very much hope further safety measures will be introduced as a result.” she continued.

 

Regional Labour MSP Rhoda Grant has said the announcement that Home Farm Care Home on Skye is being taken over by NHS Highland is “extremely welcome”.

Home Farm had been under NHS supervision since May, after the home suffered a severe COVID-19 outbreak in which 10 residents died.

The facility had been operated by the private care provider HC-One.

The NHS stepped in to manage the home  when a court action brought by the Care Inspectorate saw the provider’s license for the site temporarily revoked.

It came after an unannounced inspection triggered by the COVID outbreak found “serious concerns” about care standards.

The legal action was dropped in August after the Inspectorate found “significant improvement” had been made.

Mrs Grant said it was good to know the care home had a secure future.

However, she has voiced concerns over the “secrecy that surrounds what happened” there.

She said: “There are probably many more care homes which need to be taken into public hands but what’s worrying me is all the secrecy that surrounds what happened in that home. The public needs to know if we are going to be able to move forward to protect our care homes in the future.”

Mrs Grant has requested a formal review of the Care Inspectorate’s decision to refuse to provide her with information she previously requested.

She said her repeated attempts to see the reports that the Care Inspection lodged with Inverness Sheriff Court when it dropped its court case against the care home owners HC-One were turned down on the basis they were not ready for publication.

Three reports have, however, been published today on the Care Inspectorate website.

But Mrs Grant said the delay was unacceptable and questions remain to be answered.

“The Care Inspectorate had previously informed me that these reports were not ready for publication which seems extraordinary since they should have provided some of the key evidence submitted to the Sheriff Court. While I am delighted they have now been published, serious questions that remain to be answered about whether they have been subsequently altered for public consumption. It might be that neither the Care Inspectorate, who had failed to check on Home Farm despite knowing there were serious infection control issues in January, nor the provider HC-One, had wanted their dirty washing aired to be in court. But if we are to prevent further tragic and unnecessary care home deaths in future, we need to know what went wrong.”

The MSP said she had been raising multiple questions around the matter for months.

She added: “My request for a breakdown of the costs of NHS Highland’s take-over project since March was turned down under Freedom of Information but I have appealed this decision. I want to know whether HC-One is being asked to foot any of this bill.

“I also asked the Scottish Government’s health secretary Jeane Freeman whether checks had revealed the source of the Home Farm Covid outbreak. I wanted to know whether it had been transmitted by infected patients who were transferred into the home from Raigmore Hospital. But Mrs Freeman said this information is not known.

“This, again, beggar’s belief. What we need now are dates of all admissions to Home Farm from hospital. We need to know whether those older people had been tested or not and we need to know the date Home Farm first reported Covid cases to the care inspectorate and those are questions I am asking.”

Ends.

Transport Scotland has written to Highlands and Islands Labour MSP Rhoda Grant saying that there will now be a delay in putting up new speed limit signs on the A9 Tain bypass.

“While this is frustrating for all those campaigners who welcomed the new 50mph limit on this stretch, I can understand why Covid-19 has had an effect on ordering the signs,” said Mrs Grant.

“However, it’s good to know the groundwork is taking place to speed up the process when the signs arrive.

“I would just like to emphasise that before the new speed limit was brought in, there were consultations with the community council, the police and local authority.

“Transport Scotland has confirmed a further investigation into long-term options for the Lidl and Asda junctions are progressing and will also consider the community’s idea of roundabouts at this location.”

 

Transport Scotland said: “Further to our letter of 30 July, we have been advised by BEAR Scotland that their specialist supplier of traffic signs is currently managing a backlog of orders as a result of Covid-19 related factory closures and demand for signage for new active travel projects. As a result, the installation of speed limit signs on the A9 Tain Bypass has been delayed by approximately four to six weeks, based on timescales quoted by BEAR Scotland’s suppliers. To mitigate against these delays, BEAR Scotland commenced construction of sign foundations and posts on Friday 28 August, in advance of delivery of the signs, allowing installation to be expedited once these are received.

We have reinforced the importance of these works at Tain to both BEAR Scotland and their sign suppliers and have been assured that the new speed limit signage will be in place as soon as possible.”

 

 

Highlands and Islands Labour MSP, Rhoda Grant, has discovered that in some remote areas of the region home-testing kits for Covid-19 are unviable due to the amount of time taken to get them to the laboratory.

Moreover, there is a question mark over what is happening to mobile testing units in Highland locations after the end of August.

Mrs Grant took up the case of a constituent concerned about an elderly neighbour who had taken a Covid 19 test and then been at a loss as to how to get it to a testing centre.

Despite contacting NHS Highland and a local testing centre as a matter of urgency, the test was not picked up until 72 hours after it had been completed – making it highly unlikely to provide an accurate result.

Mrs Grant dug further into the issue and has now had a worrying reply from Health Secretary, Jeane Freeman.

“I’ve been told that not only are home-testing kits useless in some areas of my patch but also that mobile testing units across the Highland mainland will be available to book online until the end of August,” said Mrs Grant.

“This begs the question as to what happens at the end of this month for those needing a test, especially as home-testing might be ruled out for many.

“The Health Secretary has made the UK Government and NHS Highland aware of the problem asking them to sort it out, but I’ve gone back to her asking if the Scottish Government has the cast iron assurance that everyone who is symptomatic can access tests quickly and without difficulty.

“It’s yet another example of our region being at a disadvantage and of the centralisation of so many services. We need more support for the Highlands and Islands and it should not be left to struggle to access testing facilities.”

Mrs Grant has also written again to Ms Freeman asking what happens to mobile testing units after the end of this month.

Ms Freeman said in her letter: “I am aware that in some remote areas, home testing kits are not available because of difficulties with the delivery of the kits in a timely manner. The key challenge for reaching certain areas is the high potential for sample degradation during longer courier timescales from Royal Mail pick-ups to arriving at the laboratory.

“The UK Government have a Regional Testing Centre in Inverness and Mobile Testing Units have also been deployed to increase access to testing and to support priority areas, in particular, in care homes and where the need is greatest. The current locations of the Mobile Testing Units are in Oban, Dornoch, Fort William, Ullapool, Kingussie, Thurso, Portree, Campbelltown and Lochgilphead. These are available on the online booking portal until the end of August.

“My officials have raised the matters contained in your letter directly with NHS Highland and the UK Government to make them aware of the issues encountered here, and to ask them to liaise at local level to put in hand the necessary improvements to their respective existing processes. I am very clear that we must ensure that all individuals in Highland who are symptomatic can access tests quickly and without difficulty.”

Mrs Grant first raised the issue at First Minister Questions on 17th June. Mrs Grant then stressed that it shouldn’t be a postcode lottery as to whether you get a successful Covid 19 test or not.

 

The Highlands and Islands and Moray region could face a long-term arts and entertainment unemployment crisis if SNP ministers do not step up the fight for jobs, Scottish Labour MSP Rhoda Grant has said.

 

Mrs Grant spoke out as the Highlands and Islands and Moray, as well as Scotland as a whole, continue to be hit hard by the cancellation of festivals, concerts and other major cultural events. She warned that if the furlough scheme ends before a quality jobs guarantee scheme is in place, thousands of workers in creative industries could be laid off.

 

Scottish Labour has calculated that the arts and entertainment sector employs at least 121,000 people across Scotland, including 11,000 in the Highlands and Islands and Moray. There are many seasonal jobs in the sector additionally.

 

Mrs Grant, who represents the Highlands and Islands, said: “We’ve all mourned the loss of festivals such as Belladrum, as well as Heb Celt, Shetland Folk Festival, Tiree Music Festival and numerous concerts and gigs across the region. Up Helly Aa has even been cancelled for 2021.

 

“Many musicians based in our region will have lost contracts and gigs across the UK and the globe and find themselves in a precarious position with very little work if any coming in. I know some musicians have tried to take advantage of social media but there is a limit to how that works without a live audience which then has a spin-off for the local economy. It is a serious situation.”

 

Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard said: “Many workers in the arts and entertainment sector have been furloughed, but if there are not government-supported jobs created in the sector when the furlough scheme ends, many could face the prospect of long-term unemployment.

 

“The UK and Scottish Governments have announced a significant package of support for the arts, including specific funds for grassroots music venues, museums and galleries, theatres, and live events. These have all been offered much-needed support. But we need a clear strategy to create jobs in this sector – not a piecemeal approach which pits different parts of the sector against each other.

 

“This is about more than funding the sector to get through a crisis. Our creative industries can help us reboot society and build a better Highland region after the pandemic. With so many workers employed in the sector, The Highlands and Islands and Moray economy depends on arts and entertainment jobs, and the arts and entertainment sector needs jobs for good.”

 

Constituents have contacted Highlands and Islands Labour MSP, Rhoda Grant, about the influx of campervans and wild/dirty camping in the region.
Together with her Highlands and Islands MSP colleague David Stewart, she has received concern about the distress caused in some communities regarding litter and other waste being discarded at pinch points along Highlands and Islands routes, such as the NC500 and on the Western Isles.
“While there are benefits to the marketing of routes such as the NC500 and other beautiful parts of our region, the effect of Covid-19 has highlighted the definite lack of Scottish Government infrastructure to support an influx of tourists especially in peak season,” said Mrs Grant.
“I predict that next year many people will be taking staycations instead of going abroad and so it is vital that the Scottish Government looks at this as a priority.
“It is distressing to see our beautiful countryside spoiled by a minority, so more effort must go into supporting and expanding infrastructure which it is hoped will take the pressure off small, vulnerable communities.
“We should welcome visitors to boost our tourism economy every year, but we have to balance that with the right of communities to let their voices be heard when there are local problems.
“David has raised this issue in Parliament, and I have now written to Rural Economy and Tourism Secretary, Fergus Ewing, highlighting constituents’ complaints and asking what action the Scottish Government is going to take to tackle the problem.

Highlands and Islands Labour MSP Rhoda Grant is supporting the transfer of Home Farm Care Home to NHS Highland.

However, she has criticised NHS Highland and the Care Inspectorate for not making that information public following the news that the Care Inspectorate has dropped their court case against the owners of a care home where 10 residents died in a Covid-19 outbreak.

“I have advised by HC-one that they have reached a preliminary agreement with NHS Highland to transfer ownership. They obviously need to consult staff and arrange their transfer to the health board,” she said.

“They have also confirmed that residents can be secure in the knowledge that they will remain at the home going forward.

“This has been a very difficult time for residents and staff and hopefully this news brings a degree of stability for them.

“It is clear that both residents and staff in care homes in Scotland were badly let down throughout the Covid-19 pandemic and we must ensure they are better protected going forward.

“I am pleased that HC-one have acknowledged difficulties they faced providing the required standard of care in Skye and have agreed to transfer the home’s ownership in the interests of their staff and residents.

“I am however disappointed that this information was not forthcoming from NHS Highland or the Care Inspectorate and regret the lack of transparency on this matter.”

 

Following safety concerns, Transport Scotland has confirmed to Rhoda Grant MSP that the speed limit is being lowered to 50mph on a road labelled one of the most dangerous in the north.

The MSP has been battling for traffic calming measures on the A9 route between the Asda and Lidl junction next to Tain in her alliance with community campaigners.

And now Scotland’s transport agency has written to her confirming 50mph road signs are going up next week. (Monday August 10).

Mrs Grant said: “Anything that helps to reduce or eliminate accidents and injuries in this area has to be supported. Well done to campaigners who have highlighted safety and the need for change but our campaign doesn’t stop here. More needs to be done to make this road safer and I will continue to press Transport Scotland to bring forward plans.”
The MSP was told last October that a range of improvements, including roundabouts, were going to be considered.

Mrs Grant added: I hope planning for these longer-term improvements will not take long and that the Scottish Government sees this as a funding priority given the number of accidents and near misses on this road.”

The MSP also welcomes the progress being made to enhance safety at the notorious Munlochy junction.

Transport Scotland hired consultancy firm WSP to consider options to improve the layout of the A9 Inverness-Thurso road between North Kessock and Tore, including the junction, which has been the scene of numerous accidents over the years.

Highlands and Islands Labour MSP, Rhoda Grant, has welcomed the reinstatement of electronic warning signs at the notorious Munlochy junction on the Black Isle.

The MSP campaigned for improvements in the area after being contacted by local residents who had fears about the safety of the junction. The connection on the electronic signage was due to be fixed in early April but was stalled due to the Covid-19 outbreak. Mrs Grant has however received notification from the Scottish Government that the work has now been carried out following the relaxation of Covid-19 restrictions.

Mrs Grant said “I am pleased the electronic warning signage is now fully operational and will play a part in improving safety at the junction. I believe further safety work should be carried out in the area as traffic travelling north still has to pass over a busy dual carriage way when entering or leaving the A9 at the junction but this signage being repaired is a first step in improving safety in the area.”

Highlands and Islands Labour MSP, Rhoda Grant, is very disappointed that Clydesdale bank’s decision to keep open its Dingwall branch was short lived.

The bank has written to her saying that it will now be closing on August 31 this year.

Earlier this year, Mrs Grant wrote to the Clydesdale bank, which has now merged with Virgin Money, asking about the future of its Dingwall branch given that it said it would not be preceding with closure “until further notice” due to recognition of the impact of Covid 19 and uncertainty.

The MSP asked then if there was further information as to what would happen to the Dingwall branch, for instance whether it would still close this year. She also suggested that the bank might keep the branch open in the long term given that there may be more local footfall for shops and services when restrictions were eased.

The reply at the time from Clydesdale was: “This latest decision comes on top of numerous measures to protect colleague and customer health and wellbeing at this time. Our priority is to continue providing services for our customers, while keeping colleagues safe. These are unprecedented times and we continue to review what further action we can take to support our customers, communities and colleagues.”

Mrs Grant said today: “I am very disappointed at this decision, especially as the previous announcement raised false hopes for some residents.

“I said at the time of the reprieve that I feared it could be temporary and unfortunately I’ve been proved right.

“Bank and ATM closures have hit our rural areas the hardest and the elderly and more vulnerable are being affected. The number of internet banking scams have also increased with Covid-19 and I know some customers are increasingly wary about carrying out these services on line.

“The banks are not for turning despite local and political pressure.”

Last year Mrs Grant had a meeting with bank officials about proposed closures.