Category: 2019

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.

Highlands and Islands MSP Rhoda Grant has asked the Scottish Government to provide support for people with health concerns or mobility issues by allowing them to bring escorts on ferry trips free of charge.

Currently EU regulations stipulate that escorts can be carried free of charge if the ferry provider has requested that they are present, but Ms Grant wants the support to be offered for vulnerable passengers as standard.

Ms Grant said: “I have a number of constituents, particularly those in the islands, who are required to travel to the mainland for medical treatment which is not provided in their home area. As well as having to cope with side-effects from treatments, such as chemotherapy and operations, many of these constituents may require support for anxiety, depression or to face possible diagnoses while visiting mainland clinics.

“In addition there are a number of constituents with mobility issues, permanent and temporary, who would feel great relief at being able to travel with an escort that they trust, without having to bear the extra financial burden.

“With many NHS boards now refusing or unable to financially support escort travel I feel strongly that it would provide an invaluable service to vulnerable passengers if they were able to bring escorts with them at a reduced cost.

“I hope that the Scottish Government realise that such a move could provide significant support for some of the most vulnerable in our society at a marginal cost to them.”