Category: Uncategorized

Commenting on the Programme for Government published yesterday, in relation to the dualling of the A9 and the A96 and the Nairn bypass, Highlands and Islands Labour MSP, Rhoda Grant, said:

“The lack of detail in the statement is astonishing.

“The First Minister says his government is committed to improving the A96 – including dualling the road from Inverness to Nairn, with a Nairn bypass, and that his government will dual the A9 from Inverness to Perth but there is absolutely no substance to the statement with no dates or timelines given.

“It’s sweet words from the First Minister to try to appease the people in the north but only real commitment, in the form of a detailed timeline for these works, will go anywhere close to satisfying the communities who use these roads daily.”

Mrs Grant concluded “The launch of the procurement for the Tomatin to Moy section is welcome and we will hold the government to account to make sure we don’t see a repeat of the dismal failure to secure a contract previously.”

Scottish Labour has branded the oncologist shortage in NHS Highland a “scandal” as the Health Board reveals dozens of patients have had their cancer treatment plunged into chaos.

Yesterday at First Minister’s Questions Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar raised the case of Malcolm Graham, a 76 year old man in Lewis who was told his cancer treatment couldn’t begin due to a shortage of oncologists.

NHS Highland has since revealed that in total 78 patients are now without a consultant oncologist and can expect “delay and disruption” to their treatment due to this acute workforce crisis.

Chemotherapy has been suspended for anyone not under the clinical supervision of a colorectal oncology consultant, and 13 patients currently waiting for chemotherapy will not be able to start treatment.

The Health Board are currently “unable to advise our patients of when their chemotherapy treatments will be offered”.

NHS Highland raised this issue with the Scottish Government in April, but the government only wrote to boards this month saying a solution should be developed – with no indication of when this will happen.

NHS Highland have already sought help from other centres in Scotland, but they are also affected by a shortage of oncologists.

Commenting, Scottish Labour Health spokesperson Jackie Baillie said “This is a travesty for those affected and a national scandal.

“Cancer is Scotland’s biggest killer and swift treatment is key, but these patients are being left to deteriorate because of a workforce crisis the SNP let spiral out of control.

“This is the devastating reality of the SNP’s record – lives at risk and the very founding principles of our NHS under threat.

“The Scottish Government must act now and help NHS Highland through this crisis before patients pay the price.”

Scottish Labour MSP for the Highlands and Islands Rhoda Grant said “It is a disgrace that cancer patients in the Highlands and Islands have been so badly abandoned by the SNP.

“NHS Highland has clearly been sounding the alarm for months, but the SNP government doesn’t seem to grasp that this is a matter of life and death.

“The Scottish Government must show some leadership and work with NHS Highland to deal with this crisis and get these life-saving services running again.”

Highlands and Islands Labour MSP, Rhoda Grant, has welcomed the news that permanent works will be carried out next month to prohibit right turns from the B9161 Munlochy junction onto the A9 north.

A permanent traffic island and signage will be installed to replace the temporary arrangement that is in place currently. The work is scheduled to be carried out between Monday 3^rd July and Friday 21^st July.

Mrs Grant, who pushed for safety improvements at the junction, said “I know neighbouring communities and everyone who uses this road will be pleased to see this work take place.

“Too many lives have been lost at the junction and I hope these improvements will go some way to making the area safer for everyone who uses the road.”

Highlands and Islands Labour MSP, Rhoda Grant, has said the responses she has received from the Scottish Government about the u-turn on the new Barra hospital are “deeply unsatisfactory” and added “They leave the impression there is absolutely no back-up plan or sense of urgency about meeting Barra’s needs.”

The Scottish Government has declined to put any timescale on provision of health care facilities on Barra following its decision to abandon existing plans for a replacement hospital.

In response to written questions tabled by Mrs Grant, Health Secretary Michael Matheson said only that they “remained committed to delivery of quality health and care facilities on Barra.”

The MSP had asked for “current proposals and timescales for the replacement hospital, dental clinic and GP unit on the Isle of Barra” and for “a ministerial statement in order to provide a detailed update to the Parliament on these matters.”

The Health Secretary replied “The Outline Business Case for the provision of new health facilities at the Barra Health and Social Care Hub has been submitted. However detailed design work on the proposals has been unable to start due to the budgetary pressure across the capital investment programme.

“Scottish Government officials will engage with NHS Western Isles and the Scottish Futures Trust to consider the timing of the construction and will work closely with partners to identify alternative options.”

Mrs Grant also asked about prospects for the new school campus which was part of the “hub” concept. Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth replied “The procurement route for the school and leisure element of the campus is the decision of the Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, this is currently being procured by the local authority through hub North Scotland. The project is expected to be delivered by April 2026.”

The answers leave Barra in the dark about what happens next to the replacement for St Brendan’s Hospital which was first promised by Nicola Sturgeon as Health Secretary in 2008.

Despite serious misgivings on Barra, the hospital plans were later incorporated into the Scottish Government’s Public-Private “hub” model which lumped together a wide range of public services in one large campus, before last month’s bombshell.

Mrs Grant also received a letter of response from Mr Matheson (attached) about the hospital which claims “the Scottish Government’s ability to fund capital projects has been affected by a reduction in the amount of capital grant from the UK Government over the next two years, and unprecedented levels of inflation as a result of Covid, Brexit, uncertainty in the supply chain and the war in Ukraine.”

She said “This must be their stock response now as they are using the same excuses for failing to dual the A9. They say other partners, including the Scottish Futures Trust quango which they set up in 2008, may wish to proceed without the Health Board, which they fund.

“You really could not make this up. They have turned their backs on Barra and unfortunately their own MP and MSP appear content to let them do this.”

The written answers are copied below.

SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT

WRITTEN ANSWER

6 June 2023

Index Heading: Education and Justice

Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish Labour Party): To ask the Scottish Government how much the Barra and Vatersay Community Campus project has cost to date, and what future funding provision it has made for its delivery.

S6W-18120

Jenny Gilruth: The Scottish Government does not hold information on how much the Barra and Vatersay Community Campus project has cost to date – this information is held by Comhairle Nan Eilean Siar.

Initial design and development costs have been incurred on the school and community element of the project, which is being delivered through the Learning Estate Investment Programme.

These upfront project costs have been paid by the local authority and will form part of the total project costs, up to 50% of which will be funded by the Scottish Government through the Learning Estate Investment Programme’s outcome based funding model mechanism.

SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT

WRITTEN ANSWER

6 June 2023

Index Heading: Health and Social Care

Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish Labour Party): To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the current (a) proposals and (b) timescales for the provision of a replacement (i) hospital, (ii) dental clinic and (iii) GP unit on the Isle of Barra, and whether it will propose scheduling a ministerial statement in order to provide a detailed update to the Parliament on these matters.

S6W-18121

Michael Matheson: The Scottish Government remain committed to delivery of quality health and care facilities on Barra. However, the Scottish Government’s ability to fund capital projects has been affected by a reduction in the amount of capital grant from the UK Government over the next two years, and unprecedented levels of inflation as a result of Covid, Brexit, uncertainty in the supply chain and the war in Ukraine.

The Outline Business Case for the provision of new health facilities at the Barra Health and Social Care Hub has been submitted, however detailed design work of the proposals has been unable to start due to the budgetary pressures across the capital investment programme.

Scottish Government officials will engage with NHS Western Isles and the Scottish Futures Trust to consider the timing of the construction and will work closely with partners to identify alternative options.

SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT

WRITTEN ANSWER

6 June 2023

Index Heading: Education and Justice

Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish Labour Party): To ask the Scottish Government which elements of the Barra and Vatersay Community Campus project it now plans to deliver through the contract with hub North Scotland, and within what timescale.

S6W-18122

Jenny Gilruth: The procurement route for the school and leisure element of the campus is the decision of the Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, this is currently being procured by the local authority through hub North Scotland.

The project is expected to be delivered by April 2026.

“How much time do they need?”

That is the question Highlands and Islands Labour MSP, Rhoda Grant, is asking after being advised that a promise made by the First Minister in 2008 to cut train journey times between Inverness and Edinburgh to 2 hours and 45 minutes is still not being delivered by the Scottish Government.

Mrs Grant, who is Vice-President and a great supporter of the Friends of the Far North Line, has been pushing the SNP government for many years to take heed of the concerns and needs of people in the Highlands to have reasonable public rail services to the central belt.

The commitment to reduce the journey time to 2 hours and 45 minutes was made by the then First Minister, Alex Salmond, at a Cabinet Meeting in Inverness Town House in 2008, shortly after his party took power at Holyrood.

The First Minister advised that the average journey time between Inverness and Edinburgh on the Highland Main Line would be reduced to 3hrs by 2011-12, with a fastest timing of 2 hours 45 minutes, by means of the installation of more passing loops, the extension of existing double track sections and signalling improvements.

Fifteen years later, after being pressed again by Mrs Grant, the new Transport Minister, Kevin Stewart, has advised the Regional MSP in an answer to a Parliamentary Question she tabled that he is “unable to commit to a date for delivering this journey time.” The Minister further advises that “The costs and benefits for delivering this need to be considered against those for delivering alternative rail enhancement projects, notably those that will contribute towards the decarbonisation of Scotland’s railway, within constrained funding.”

Rhoda Grant said “While the SNP continues to fail on promise after promise, this latest bodyblow for the Highlands will not be lost on our Highland communities who just want services comparable to what is available in the central belt.

“They’ve failed on their promise to dual the A9 by 2025, they will fail on dualling the A96 by 2030, they’ve failed on delivering the ferries that our island communities so desperately need and, going by the answer I’ve received, they have no intention of delivering on the commitment to reduce rail times either.”

Ian Budd of the Friends of the Far North Line said “This is disappointing, but not unexpected, news. The difficulty for the Scottish Government is that it has committed to achieving modal shift from road to rail but apparently cannot afford the investment needed to improve the railway sufficiently for this to happen.

“Electrification will make the journey somewhat faster but will not solve the problem of delays escalating in both directions when one service runs late. The Highland Main Line does not have sufficient capacity in its present form to meet the government’s modal shift targets.”

The text of the Parliamentary Question and answer is detailed below:-

2 May 2023

Index Heading: Transport Scotland

Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish Labour Party): To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-14784 by Jenny Gilruth on 16 March 2023, whether it will directly address the issue raised in the question regarding when it will fulfil its commitment to reduce train journey times between Inverness and Edinburgh to 2 hours 45 minutes.

S6W-17250

Kevin Stewart: I am unable to commit to a date for delivering this journey time. The costs and benefits for delivering this need to be considered against those for delivering alternative rail enhancement projects, notably those that will contribute towards the decarbonisation of Scotland’s railway, within constrained funding.

In the meantime, as set out in our response on 16 March 2023, to PQ S6W-14784, Transport Scotland is, alongside industry partners, exploring options for lengthening passing loops on the Highland Main Line to enable longer and more frequent freight and passenger services.

Transport Scotland will consider these, and further infrastructure enhancements that would enable future journey time savings between Inverness and Edinburgh and Glasgow, within the constraints of available funding and subject to a robust business case.

Highlands and Islands Labour MSP Rhoda Grant has called on the Scottish Government to “show the people of Barra some respect” by giving a full explanation of where plans for a new hospital now stand.

Two weeks ago, the island was shocked when the Health Secretary, Michael Matheson, told community representatives in an on-line call that plans for the hospital, first promised in 2008, had been cancelled as it was no longer affordable.

Mrs Grant said: “The lack of explanation, far less apology, provided to people on Barra and Vatersay has been truly shocking. No Minister is entitled to treat a community like this in a zoom call and then assume that is the end of the matter”.

She said: “Barra’s hospital was forced into a Public Private Partnership package by SNP Ministers and now the whole thing seems to have fallen apart. We need to know if there is any alternative plan and also implications for other parts of the package.

“I have tabled questions to establish what remains of plans to replace St Brendan’s Hospital and also the dental clinic and GP unit. We also need to understand the knock-on effects for other parts of the so-called ‘hub’ package including a new school, recreation facilities and a police station”.

Mrs Grant said: “Severe doubts were expressed from Barra about whether the Public Private ‘hub’ model which lumped all these facilities into one complex was appropriate for a small island community. These concerns were brushed aside and Barra was told this was the only way to get anything.

“While the local authority says it remains committed to its parts of the project, questions remain about whether these are deliverable, and at what cost, under the changed circumstances. The Scottish Government cannot just walk away and leave the council with that problem”.

Mrs Grant said it was “astonishing” there had been no comprehensive statement about the fate of the overall “hub” project and added: “Mr Matheson should show the people of Barra and Vatersay some respect by going there and facing up to the implications of what he has hit them with from a safe distance”.

Highlands and Islands Labour MSP Rhoda Grant today (Tuesday 16 May) led a debate on Highly Protected Marine Areas, reflecting the vehement opposition to the proposals across her region.

Mrs Grant urged the Scottish Government to rethink their slap dash and vague policy, saying: “The alarm the Government’s approach has caused means that they must revisit this policy.  To say that they will not impose this where communities are vehemently opposed actually ramps up the pressure rather than calms it down.

“Communities now must focus on demonstrating their vehement opposition rather than working with government to try and protect our seas and the livelihoods they support.”

Mrs Grant stressed that the policy had not been built on evidence and that coastal communities were already being punished because of Scottish Government policy that didn’t place communities at its heart.

“The impact that HPMAs could have on fishing are devastating, even on the most sustainable and environmentally friendly forms of fishing.

“We are quoted the success of the No Take Zone in Lamlash Bay, but yet the Clyde Fishermen’s Association who were instrumental in setting up the No Take Zone, tell us that the success is unmeasured.

There have been no comparative studies to show whether or not the policy has worked.

“We also have the No Take Zone in Broadbay, which has not worked at all. Therefore, we must have robust science to guide our management of the seas.”

She added that the plans along with the abysmal management of the ferry fleet were leading to cries of Scottish Government undertaking a second clearance via stealth.

But the Minister responded by congratulating Skipinnish for “capturing the strength of feeling” and claimed that they are still at the drawing board and that they are reviewing the consultation responses.

Speaking after the debate Rhoda Grant MSP said: “The Scottish Government claim to want to protect the marine environment yet they continue to progress this legislation. No one wants to protect the seas more than the fishing communities who have harvested it for years. The Skipinnish song The Clearances Again highlights that and the deep damage it will do to our rural and island communities.

“This policy desperately needs a re-think and the more this SNP-Green Scottish Government drag their feet, the more infuriated communities will feel.”

 

On Wednesday 22^nd March 2023, Rhoda Grant MSP attended the first Scottish Parliamentary reception for motor neuron disease (MND) in more than three years.  The reception marked the anniversary of the launch of MND Scotland’s report No time to lose: Addressing the housing needs of people with MND, which highlights that, despite MND being a rapidly progressing terminal illness, people affected wait too long for the adaptations and accessible housing they urgently need.  The report has several government recommendations and the reception was an opportunity to highlight that, a year on, little progress has been made.

MND Scotland’s event, which took place in Garden Lobby of the Scottish Parliament, was hosted by Bob Doris MSP. Key speakers included Bob Doris MSP, Marie Cartwright – whose husband Ian died of MND in 2019, MND Scotland Chief Executive Rachel Maitland, and the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Housing and Local Government, Shona Robison.

More than 100 guests were in attendance, 70 of whom had been directly affected by MND. They were joined by MSPs, Scottish Government ministers and members of MND Scotland’s staff and Board of Trustees.

The Cabinet Secretary, addressed the reception, acknowledging the importance of fast-track, simpler and flexible processes for people with illnesses like MND when they try to secure adaptations and accessible homes.  She stated that that she was unhappy with the pace of change achieved since the launch of the report and would reach out across government to improve progress.

Rhoda Grant MSP said: “I was delighted to be able to attend MND Scotland’s reception. The event was a great opportunity to raise awareness of this devastating disease, the impact that housing issues have on individuals and families and to talk to people affected by the illness about how we can support them.

“MND Scotland’s report ‘No time to lose: Addressing the housing needs of people with MND’, highlights the need for people with MND to be fast-tracked and prioritised for adaptations and accessible housing. I pledge to work alongside MND Scotland to help create much needed change for those living with MND.”

Rachel Maitland, MND Scotland’s Chief Executive, said: “MND’s rapid progression means people become increasingly disabled. This makes moving around homes safely, more and more difficult. As a result, people with MND often need adaptations to their home, such as ramps and wetrooms, and they need them fast. If adaptations can’t be made to the property, they need an alternative accessible home.

“Speed is key when you have an illness like MND. People with MND need to be prioritised and fast-tracked but those who took part in our research told us that this is not happening. We need change now.

“I’d like to thank all of the MSPs who came to our reception to hear first-hand about the experiences people with MND are facing and I look forward to working with you.”

 To find out more about MND Scotland’s report visit www.mndscotland.org.uk/housing.

About MND Scotland 

MND Scotland’s vision is a world without motor neuron disease (MND). Until that day comes, we are here to make time count for everyone affected by MND in Scotland. We support people living with MND and their loves, campaign for lasting change to make living with MND easier and fund ground-breaking research and world-class clinical trials to find a cure.

More at mndscotland.org.uk.

About MND 

Motor neuron disease (MND) is a brutal terminal illness affecting the nerves that control our muscles. It can rapidly strip a person of their ability to walk, talk, swallow, and breathe. Most people live for between one and two years after a diagnosis, but almost half will die within a year. As it stands, there are no meaningful treatments for MND, and the impact of a diagnosis on individuals, families, and wider networks is devastating.

Key stats

• Someone’s lifetime risk of getting MND in 1 in 300
• Average life expectancy is just 18 months from diagnosis
• 30% of people with MND die within 12 months
• On average almost 200 people are diagnosed each year in Scotland, and around 200 people will die each year
• There are approx. 400 people in Scotland currently living with MND

Highlands and Islands Labour MSP, Rhoda Grant MSP, lent her support to Marie Curie’s largest fundraising appeal month, the iconic Great Daffodil Appeal, at an event at the Scottish Parliament recently.

Meeting with staff and volunteers from Marie Curie, Ms Grant heard about the care and support that is provided to people living with terminal illness, their families and carers across Scotland.

The leading end of life charity supported over 8,600 terminally ill people across Scotland in their own homes and at its two Scottish hospices during 2021/22. In the Highlands and Islands Parliamentary Region, over 3,800 visits were made by the charity’s Community Nursing Service to support people in the comfort of their own homes.

Supporting the Great Daffodil Appeal, which started in 1986, by donating and wearing a daffodil pin in March helps Marie Curie to continue providing vital palliative and end of life care and support.

Rhoda Grant MSP said: “In the Highlands and Islands, 90% of people who died in 2021-22 had a palliative care need and we know that palliative care demand will continue to increase with two thirds of all deaths likely to happen in a community settings.

“Marie Curie nurses allow patients to die with dignity in the setting of their choice while also supporting family members and carers during this time.

“When days are few, life becomes very precious for both the patient and their families.

“Marie Curie’s work is invaluable and I am pleased to support their efforts during their Great Daffodil Appeal month.”

Hayley Smith, whose husband Matt was cared for by Marie Curie Nursing Service at home, before being admitted to Marie Curie Hospice, Edinburgh, spoke at the event.

Hayley said: I’d gone a whole year of Matt being very ill with no support. I was basically his full-time carer, had to shower him and everything, and was doing all the cooking, all the cleaning, still working in between. I had absolutely no support.

“But in July 2021, Marie Curie stepped in and I went from having zero support to having all the help I needed.  The Nurses who came to the house were fantastic. Just coming in in the morning, giving Matt a bath, enabling me to have some respite. I know people think they can do it on their own, but in reality it’s not sustainable – both mentally or physically.

“The Marie Curie Nurses and Healthcare Assistants really helped Matt keep his dignity. He had the 7-day service for a week before we got a call saying that there was a bed available at the Marie Curie hospice in Edinburgh.

“I work for a hospice charity, and I think for a lot of people they don’t really understand how amazing hospices are, but for me I knew Matt was going to be really well looked after there. It also meant I just knew when he was in the hospice I could actually go and spend time with him as him, not caring for him, which was so important.”

Amy Dalrymple, Associate Director of Policy and Public Affairs, Marie Curie, Scotland, said:

“Thank you to Rhoda for her ongoing support.

“Seeing and hearing first-hand stories of how living with a terminal illness and caring for someone is a sad reminder that many of us have and will encounter Marie Curie at some point in our lives.

“We know that by 2040, a further 10,000 people will be dying with palliative care needs. We need to ensure Marie Curie Nurses will be able to be there for everyone across Scotland who needs them, which is why buying a daffodil pin in March, can help make this possible”.

To find out more about the Great Daffodil Appeal, visit mariecurie.org.uk/daffodil

Photo attached: Left–Right is Ann Traynor, Senior Marie Curie Nurse, Rhoda Grant MSP and Lee McLean, Marie Curie Nurse.

Highlands and Islands Labour MSP Rhoda Grant “gets to the heart of a societal problem” while raising bullying in schools at FMQs.

Today, Mrs Grant raised with the First Minister for Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon, that school bullying does not only happen within school and that it also takes place outside and on the way to school. This causes problems for schools as they cannot be responsible for what happens to pupils off school grounds.

She then asked the First Minister what steps her Government and Police Scotland are taking to protect children from school bullying when it takes place off school grounds and what actions are being taken to hold bullies to account.

This comes after reports of incidents in Lochaber where bullies attacked peers off school grounds. In some cases, these attacks were filmed and posted online for other school pupils to see.

The First Minister agreed with Mrs Grant and said she gets to the “heart of a societal problem”. She then said that there is a collective responsibility to tackling bullying off school grounds from Police Scotland and from national and local Governments. She then ended by saying that we all have a part to play in ensuring that children are protected and safeguarded.

Speaking after FMQs Rhoda Grant MSP said: “The First Minister is correct in stating that this is a societal problem and it is one that needs to be addressed.

“Children now face bullies on and off school grounds. Whether that be outside school, on the way to school or on social media. These attacks are preplanned in that they are recorded from before the start of the attack yet Local Authorities and Police seem unable to provide solutions leaving child victim without protection.”