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A NIGHT TO REMEMBER Exactly one year and one day after 2800 members of the Lochaber community crowded into the Nevis Centre queues once again formed outside the Centre last Friday night. The difference was, that this time they had come to celebrate and not to protest. This time NHS Highland joined in the celebration and were not the messengers of doom. This was the Thank You, Lochaber party. The party was organised by the Belford Action Group to thank the Lochaber community for their support during the recent successful campaign to retain, sustain and improve 24/7 acute services at the Belford Hospital and followed the approval of the West Highland Health Services Solutions Group report by both NHS Highland and NHS Argyll and Clyde. Approval of the report by both NHS authorities confirms the establishment of Rural General Hospitals providing 24/7 consultant led acute services at both Oban and the Belford and provides for collaboration between the two hospitals. 500 members of the Lochaber community enjoyed a night of dance and entertainment with 60 local artistes providing their services free for the night. Entertainment was provided by Larry Byrne and his band, Lochaber Pipe Band, Coisir Og Lochabair, Lochaber Strathspey and Reel Society, Jimmy Cameron, Ian and Mary Kennedy and new local band Skales. New to the entertainment world was the TBag choir who performed a specially composed song by well know local songwriter Dr Chris Robinson. Also contributing to the entertainment was John Hutchison who performed his own composition We all Support the Belford to the tune Mary of Dunvegan. Baroness Michie, chair of the West Highland Health Services Solutions Group, Garry Coutts, chair of NHS Highland and MSPs Fergus Ewing and Jim Mather, joined the community in celebration. Kathleen Macpherson took time out from dancing to say This is a very special evening, the atmosphere is truly friendly and everyone knows everyone. Its great to see Baroness Michie and Garry Coutts joining in the party. What a wonderful idea to hold a party to thank the community. Joan MacKintosh, a member of the team who organised the party, said Its been a truly memorable night and I would like to thank all of the entertainers, John and his team at the Nevis Centre, Garry Walsh, Nevis Radio, Printsmith, Richard his team at Lochaber College, my fellow TBagers and a particular thanks to the 500 members of the community who came to the party. Stewart Maclean 07836 608 089 Released to the press Wednesday 10 November 2004 ITS A SELL OUT Over 500 people will attend the Thank You, Lochaber party to be held in the Nevis Centre on Friday night and there will now be even more to celebrate as the campaign to retain 24/7 acute services at the Belford won the Highland Council Quality Award 2004 in the category Representing the Highlands. The Award was presented to the Lochaber team at a glittering awards ceremony in the Nevis Centre, Fort William on Tuesday night. Highland Council Lochaber Area Manager, John Hutchison who led the team said, The judges were bowled over by the strength of our presentation which highlighted our leadership role in bringing together the medical team and the broader community. They also praised the success of the campaign and the effectiveness of our delivery of Highland issues to the Scottish Parliament With the TBag campaign also short-listed in the category of Public Campaign of the Year at the Scottish Politician of the Year Awards dinner in Edinburgh tonight (Thursday) there may even be more to celebrate at the party. The Scottish Politician of the Year Awards dinner will be broadcast on STV at 11pm tonight (Thursday) and it is anticipated that every television in Lochaber will be tuned in to watch the result. Michael Foxley and Sandra Casey will be representing the TBag team in Edinburgh. Joan MacKintosh, a member of the team organising the Thank you, Lochaber party said It is shaping up to be a night to remember. It is important that everyone who wishes to attend goes out and buys their ticket now as there will be no tickets at sale on the door on Friday Tickets, which cost 2.50, can be purchased from Nevis Centre, Fort William or by telephoning 01397 700707. ARGYLL AND CLYDE SIGN UP At their meeting on Monday the board of NHS Argyll and Clyde approved the report of the West Highlands Health Services Solutions Group. The board of NHS Highland had previously approved the report in early October. The approval by NHS Argyll and Clyde therefore guarantees the provision of 24/7 consultant led acute services at both Oban and the Belford Hospital and allows discussions to start with regard to cooperation between the two Hospitals. These discussions will cover day time collaboration and a possible pilot for night time cross cover. A spokesman for the Belford Action Group welcomed the approval by NHS Argyll and Clyde saying This cooperation could provide an improved day time service to the Lochaber Community but our position regarding the night time cross cover remains that we are strongly opposed to any consideration of patient transfer between Fort William and Oban
Released to the press Tuesday 2 November 2004 Baroness Michie to attend 'Thank You, Lochaber' party The chair of the West Highland Health Services Solutions Group, Baroness Ray Michie, will join local MSP's and 500 members of the Lochaber community at the 'Thank You, Lochaber' party being held at the Nevis Centre, Fort William on Friday 12 November. Baroness Michie is one of a number of political and media representatives who have accepted invitations from the Belford Action Group to the night of celebration. Almost half of the tickets available have now been sold and a spokesman for TBag said ' It is important, in order to avoid disappointment, that everyone who wishes to attend the party goes out and buys their ticket now as we do not anticipate any tickets being available on the night' . John Steele, the Hyperhut, Fort William, said ' I have never sold so many tickets for an event in Fort William ......... it is absolutely amazing. I have had to ask for more tickets 3 times already'. The party is being held to thank the Lochaber community for their support of the Belford Hospital following the recent threat to its 24/7 acute services. Tickets, which are priced at 2.50, are on sale throughout Lochaber and can be reserved by phoning the Nevis Centre on 01397 700707 Daily Record support for TBag Lochaber readers of the Daily Record cut of and returned 3867 coupons from their daily newspaper during the month of September and the Belford Action Group funds are due to receive a cheque for 193.35 for their efforts. James Lee of the Daily Record said ' We are very pleased with the response from our readers in Lochaber and we are delighted to be able to support the work of the Belford Action Group. I hope to come to the party on the 12th when I will be able to offer a personal thanks to everyone involved' A spokesperson for TBag said ' This is one more way in which the community have shown their support for the Belford'. Scottish Politician of the Year 2004 Sandra Casey and Michael Foxley have been chosen to represent the Belford Action Group at the prestigious televised Awards dinner in Edinburgh on Thursday 11 November 2004. The Belford Action Group have been shortlisted for the Scottish Politician of the Year Awards in the category of Public Campaign of the Year. Sandra said ' I am thrilled and delighted to be representing the Group and the Lochaber community at such an important event'. By coincidence the dinner takes place exacly one year on from the huge meeting held in the Nevis Centre where the Lochaber community expressed their support for the Belford Hospital The event will be shown on Grampian and STV on the same evening. NHS Argyll and Clyde The report of the West Highland Health Services Solutions Group will be before the Board of NHS Argyll and Clyde when they meet at Erskine on Monday 8 November. A representative from the Belford Action Group will attend the meeting to hear whether NHS Argyll and Clyde support the proposal of daytime collaboration and nigt time crosscover between the Oban and Lorne Hospital and the Belford in Fort William. NHS Highland have already accepted the report of the Solutions Group and agreed the retention of 24/7 consultant led acute services at the Belford however the elements of the report which covered collaboration between the two hospitals still requires the approval of NHS Argyll and Clyde. Highland Council Quality Awards A team, which includes members of the Belford Action Group, have been shortlisted in the Highland Council Quality Awards in the category of 'Representing the Highlands'. The team will be in Inverness on Tuesday 9 November to make a presentation to an independant panel of judges and will, that same evening, attend a dinner in the Nevis Cente at which the winner of the awards will be announced. This is the first time that the awards dinner has been held in Fort William TBag petition goes to Health Committee The petition, calling for the retention of 24/7/52 acute services in rural hospitals,which was recently presented to the Scottish Parliament Petitions committee by representatives of the Belford Action Group, has been passed to the Health committee and will go before that committee at their meeting on Tuesday 23 November. Although TBag will be unable to make further representations on the day, local MSP Fergus Ewing will attend the meeting and will be permitted to speak to the petition. Sandra Casey, who initiated the petition on behalf of TBag, said ' This an important step and we hope that the committee will consider our petition in the light of their ongoing discussions with the Royal Colleges. I hope to be able to attend the meeting with other representatives of TBag.' Church and Nations to meet TBag Representatives from the influential Church and Nation committee of the Church of Scotland will meet representatives of the Belford Action Group during their visit to Fort William on Tuesday 9 November. Reverend Donald MacQuarrie, a member of TBag, has arranged the meeting in order that the Church and Nation committee can be updated on the work of the Action Group. The Church Committee will learn, at first hand, the solution which has been found for the challenges facing the Belford Hospital and how this can be used to benefit rural areas throughout Scotland. Released to the press Tuesday 26 October 2004 TBAG IN LINE FOR AWARD The Belford Action Group have been short listed for a prestigious national award for their successful campaign to save 24/7 acute services at the Belford Hospital. Exactly one year on from the date of the public meeting in the Nevis Centre two representatives from TBag will be attending a televised gala dinner in Edinburgh and awaiting anxiously the announcement of the results of the Scottish Politician of the Year Awards 2004. TBag has been short listed in the new category of Public Campaign of the Year. A spokesperson for TBag said If we are fortunate enough to win this award it will for the people of Lochaber. It was they who started the campaign on 11 November 2003. Also short listed in the Public Campaign category are David and Ozlem Grimason for battling Turkeys gun laws following the death of their son who was killed in crossfire in a Turkish bar and Ian and Shirley McKie who have fought to expose weaknesses in finger print evidence which led to wrongful accusations against Shirley. Local MSP, Fergus Ewing, has been short listed in the category of The Committee Award. Scottish and Grampian Television will broadcast the Awards ceremony on Thursday 11 November. For further information contact Stewart Maclean 07836 608 089 Note The Awards are the Herald / Diego Scottish Politician of the Year Awards 2004. Released to the press Wednesday 6 October 2004 BELFORD DECISION TEXTED TO PARLIAMENT Belford Action Group (TBag) representatives received the news of NHS Highlands support for the Solutions Group report as they left the Scottish Parliaments public petitions meeting on Tuesday morning. The good news was sent by text by the Chairman of NHS Highland Garry Coutts and was immediately conveyed to MSPs in Edinburgh. NHS Highland have approved the recommendations of the West Highland Health Solutions Group and have agreed to set up both an Implementation sub committee and a Monitoring sub committee. TBag representatives had been presenting a petition calling for the retention of 24/7 consultant led acute services in rural Scotland. Commenting, after giving evidence to the petitions committee, Patricia Jordan, chairwoman of the Association of Lochaber Community Councils said Our petition has been approved by the Petitions Committee and they have agreed to submit both the petition and our evidence to the Health Committee, the New Minister for Health, Mr Andy Kerr and the NHS National Advisory Group under the Chairmanship of Professor David Kerr. We want Parliament to engage with the Royal Colleges to ensure that their will be sufficient consultants available to staff the Rural General Hospitals in the future. John Hutchinson, Highland Councils Lochaber manager, who also gave evidence to the petitions committee said It is important that the NHS National Advisory Group take account of the Solutions Group report and hear directly from hands on rural consultants and rural community representatives The TBag representatives were supported in Parliament by local MSPs Fergus Ewing, Jim Mather and Maureen MacMillan and were introduced to the recently appointed Health Minister, Andy Kerr. Stewart Maclean, TBag coordinator said We will now follow up with the Health Committee, the Health Minister and Professor Kerr to request meetings in order that we can again present our evidence in person. PARTY TIME The Belford Action Group have now set a date for the Thank You, Lochaber celebration party. The party will be held in the Nevis Centre, Fort William on Friday 12 November 2004 one year and one day after the Lochaber Community gathered at the same venue to protest the proposals to downgrade services at the Belford Hospital. More details of arrangements will be available shortly. Stewart Maclean 07836 608 089 Released to the press Friday 1 October 2004 THE BELFORD ACTION GROUP (TBag) PRESS RELEASE The report is a testament to commonsense and to the hard work of the Solutions Group members over the summer. It is a massive step towards achieving the TBag campaign objectives and a small step away from outright achievement. Baroness Michie and her group are to be congratulated on recognising the urgency of this report and completing their work in a period of 6 months. We are particularly indebted to the Lochaber members on the group whom we know have been addressing the very specific challenges facing the Belford Hospital. The recommendations of the report are clear, concise, readily implemented and have a minimal financial impact. We now urge Mr Coutts and his NHS Board members to approve the report at their meeting in Inverness next Tuesday and to bring to an end the cloud of uncertainty, which has been hanging over the Belford, its staff and the Lochaber community for the last year. The report has been framed in a way that allows NHS Highland to approve its recommendations without awaiting the response of NHS Argyll and Clyde. I will be contacting Mr Coutts in this regard and asking that NHS Highland follow in the footsteps of Malcolm Chisholm, who yesterday announced a reprieve for services at the Queen Mothers Hospital in Glasgow. The Belford Action Group will be addressing MSP's in Edinburgh on the subject of the retention of consultant led hospitals in rural Scotland at the time of the NHS Highland Board meeting in Inverness and it would seem an opportune time to announce the Boards commitment to 24/7 consultant led services at the Belford. Our one concern with the report is the implications of patient transfers, which could arise as a result of nighttime cross cover between Oban and Fort William. We remain strongly opposed to nighttime patient transfers from Fort William to Oban. The Belford Action Group take this opportunity to thank the Lochaber community, the local media and the 10 local businesses who have been underwriting the costs of the campaign for their unstinting support. Our Campaign will continue until NHS Highland approve and implement the report .............................. our sights will then be set firmly on a NEW Belford Hospital. Friday 1 October 2004 Released to the press Monday 30 August 2004 Mr Garry Coutts, Chairman of NHS Highland, has emphasised NHS Highlands continuing commitment to hospital services in Fort William during a recent meeting in Fort William with Belford Action Group representative, Stewart Maclean. At the meeting Mr Coutts said It worries me that there are still people in the area who think that there are plans somewhere to close the Belford. This is not the case. The Belford Hospital plays an important role in Lochaber and I cant see it ever closing He added NHS Highland is awaiting with interest the report from the West Highland Health Solutions Group. We all hope that this will provide a solution to the present and future challenges facing the hospital, so that we can begin to plan for a future which will ensure a safe, stable and sustainable service for the people of the area. That is what we all want. Stewart Maclean explained to Mr Coutts the background, membership and objectives of the Belford Action Group and in response Mr Coutts said that he could not disagree with the objective of TBag which is to retain, sustain and improve existing standards and levels of service at the Belford Hospital Mr Coutts explained that it was recently agreed by NHS Highland that it should review the theatre capacity and related facilities throughout its area. This was with a view to offering more patients the opportunity to be treated outside the Inverness area thus reducing waiting times at Raigmore Hospital. The results of this review could result in additional work being carried out at the Belford. The idea of importing patients to the Belford is an important element of the proposed solution being put forward by the Lochaber Medical Group and the Belford Action Group welcomes the review. On the subject of the replacement of the existing hospital building Mr Coutts said The Mid Highland Health Community Partnership is committed to working with the community and local clinicians to establish the future accommodation and facilities required to deliver Health Care in Lochaber. Whether this will require the building of a new hospital, I would not like to prejudge Stewart Maclean said We are pleased to have the opportunity to raise the various issues with the Chairman of NHS Highland and to update him on our campaign. We believe that, working together, a solution can be achieved and the uncertainty presently affecting everyone can be brought to an end. It is important that everyone connected with the Belford broadcasts positive messages and demonstrates commitment to its future. The West Highland Health Solutions Group, under the chairmanship of Baroness Michie, has been tasked with providing a safe and sustainable solution to the future provision of a 24/7 service at the Belford and Oban and Lorne Hospitals and it is due to report in early October. The Mid Highland Health Community Partnership manages health services in Lochaber, Skye and Lochalsh, and Ross and Cromarty. Statement from TBag in response to Media release from the West Highland Health Solutions Group dated 23 August 2004. The Belford Action Group are meeting this evening to discuss the outcome of the latest Solutions Group meeting and I am certain that we will be pressing to ensure that the model of a full 24/7/52 A and E service at the Belford, together with a closer working relationship between the Belford and Oban clinicians, is still on the table and that it will be included in the clinicians discussions as well as the cross cover pilot. We will oppose any suggestion that the pilot plan includes patients being transferred from Fort William to Oban during the night and we will require a close and thorough examination of the practices and procedures which will be put in place to ensure that there is no negative impact on patient safety. There are many questions arising from the proposal for overnight cross cover not least of which are the clinical safety of the plan and the additional responsibility being put on Junior Hospital doctors. We understand that the annual costs of implementing the original Lochaber model, giving full 24/7 consultant led acute services at both hospitals, is not far removed from the costs of the cross cover pilot which is being proposed. Questions will also be asked as to how this solution addresses the training and generalist issues, challenges which are presently being worked on by the Belford clinicians, the medical profession and the politicians. The suggestion of a pilot proposal will not bring to a conclusion the uncertainty, which has been hanging over the Lochaber community and the staff at the Belford for the last 2 years. What is needed right now to counteract this uncertainty are statements and actions of support for the Belford Hospital and its staff from the senior management at NHS Highland, a point which we raised with the Malcolm Chisholm, the Minister of Health, when we met him last week. TBAG SIGNS UP The Belford Action Group (TBag) is the sponsor of a new online petition that will be presented to the Scottish Parliament in the Autumn. The petition calls for Retention of 24/7/52 consultant led services in rural communities and compliments the local Belford petition launched in April. This new petition takes advantage of a parliamentary process, unique to Scotland, which allows individuals or groups to present issues of national importance for consideration by the Parliamentary Petitions Committee. A TBag spokesperson said We are very much aware that the threat to 24/7/52 services is not unique to the Belford and the new on line petition is a way of recording the views of rural communities throughout Scotland on this very real threat. We urge everyone who has signed the Belford petition to go online and support the new petition. We will also be asking the media across Scotland to promote this important new petition. The new petition can be accessed by logging on to www.24-7-52.org.uk Jim Mather MSP, one of the first to sign the petition, said The TBag group deserve the utmost credit and support for this new initiative, they have maintained the flame of public indignation and are showing to the Government that this issue must be answered positively and that it will simply never just go away. This petition will also help those of us in Parliament who are determined to create a cross party group to fight any potential loss of service and also help us mobilise the goodwill of the public and armies of consultants, nurses, administrators and GPs to the same end Further details of the petition can be viewed by clicking on information on the website and comments can be added by clicking on discussion. TBag are encouraging everyone to add both their signature and their comments to the new petition even if these have already been included in the local Belford petition. The new petition, which was launched on 7 July, 2004 will be open for signing until 21 September, 2004 and can only be signed by accessing the online website. Released to the press Monday 12 July 2004 TIME FOR AN UPDATE. Thousands of expressions of support and tireless efforts have moved forward the fight to save our 24/7 consultant lead acute services at the Belford Hospital but there is, however, still someway to go before victory can be claimed. So what has happened since the memorable meeting in the Nevis Centre some 8 months ago? The Belford Action Group (TBag) have been progressing the fight on a number of fronts. Politically they have had numerous meetings with senior members of the Scottish Parliament including the First Minister, the Health Minister and many MSPs. This has ensured a high national political profile for the campaign. At a local level the group have been equally active with the TBag website, the street corner banners, the car stickers, the online petition, the regular representation at local events, the seven public meetings, the weekly column in the Lochaber News and the daily reminders from David Ogg on Nevis Radio. All of these activities have kept the fight in the forefront of the minds of the people of Lochaber. The media highlight of the TBag campaign was, undoubtedly, the broadcast by Lesley Riddoch of her Radio Scotland show from Fort William in April which included a discussion with the Health Minister, Malcolm Chisholm. This ensured national media coverage for the campaign Whilst all of this has ensured a high profile there still remains the requirement to find answers to the challenges which face the future of 24/7 services at the Belford, including the European Working Time Directive, the new Consultants contract, the perceived recruitment problems, the training issues etc etc. In this regard the West Highland Health Solutions Group, set up by NHS Highland and NHS Argyll and Clyde, and comprising 35 members have now met three times to address these challenges for both the Belford Hospital and the Oban Hospital. The Lochaber members of the Solutions Group, including consultants, doctors, Highland Council members and staff and community representatives, have been providing the Group with detailed information and proposals in order to ensure that the outcome will reflect the reality of the activity at the Belford and the requirements of the people of Lochaber. The Solutions Group will meet again at the end of August and their final meeting and the issue of their report will be at the beginning of October. The report of the Solutions Group will be submitted to NHS Highland for their review and assessment. NHS Highland will then issue proposals for public consultation. The results of this process will probably end up on the desk of the Health Minister for his final decision by which time he will be in no doubt as to the views of the Lochaber community. In the meantime TBag will continue to lobby the politicians, support the local consultants and doctors, keep the community informed and ensure a high local and national profile for the campaign. Upcoming events will include, the presentation to Parliament of a national e-petition sponsored by TBag, the adoption by a national newspaper of the TBag campaign during the month of August, representation at the Caol Gala day and the next public meeting of TBag which will be on Monday 23 August. Released to the press Monday 5 July 2004 CROSS PARTY GROUP DELAYED. A proposed cross party parliamentary group which it was hoped would look into the loss of hospital consultant led services across Scotland, failed in its bid to receive approval last week when one of its members withdrew their support shortly before the groups application was to be heard by the Standards Committee. As we reported two weeks ago Sandra Casey from the Belford Action Group is taking an active role in the formation of this group and has attended two meetings recently in Edinburgh on behalf of TBag. Sandra said yesterday We are obviously very disappointed that the cross party group did not receive approval but we will be working, over the summer months, to ensure that we have representatives from the four main political parties on the group. It is hoped that our application to the Standards Committee will be presented and be approved in the Autumn. The cross party group is being led by Dr Jean Turner MSP who won her seat in Parliament at the last election based on the fight to save Stobhill Hospital in Glasgow.
ONE HOSPITAL OR TWO??? Members of the public attending the Belford Action Group (TBag) meeting on Monday night were left in no doubt that, despite misleading newspaper headlines last week, the West Highland Health Solutions Group were working on a proposal that would ensure 24/7 consultant lead acute services would be available at both the Belford and Oban. It was reported to the TBag meeting that Baroness Michie, chair of the Solutions Group, had said of the press speculation Suggestions that we are working on single hospital solution or an amalgamation of the two hospitals are wide of the mark Councillor Michael Foxley gave a full report of the latest West Highland Health Solutions Group meeting to TBag and highlighted the constructive discussions taking place with regard to the Belford Hospital and the Oban Hospital working more closely together both in regard to daytime and out of hours work. He also reported that the work of the Solutions Group would now move forward with a sub group meeting twice over the next two months to further analyse the out of hours work carried out at both the Belford and Oban and consultants from both hospitals meeting to discuss areas of cooperation. Questions were raised both by members of TBag and members of the public as to why the gathering and analysing of the required information was being undertaken by Lochaber doctors and consultants and not by NHS management and why the Solutions Group had not been properly resourced to carry out this work. It was suggested that the 100000 spent by the ill fated West Highland Health Services Project and the commissioning of the Birmingham consultants could have been better spent on the work which was now required to be undertaken. The meeting was reminded that any proposal agreed by the Solutions Group would still require the approval of NHS Highland and NHS Argyll and Clyde particularly if the proposal required additional funding. TBag recorded their appreciation of the work being undertaken by Baroness Michie and the West Highland Health Solutions Group. The TBag meeting also heard of a number of pan Scotland initiatives which were now in place to highlight and review the future delivery of health services to rural areas. Rev Donald MacQuarrie reported that a sub committee of the influential Church and Nations committee had been formed to look at the future of health services in rural areas and they would be visiting Fort William in the near future. Sandra Casey reported on the e-petition which it was hoped would be accepted by the Scottish Parliament petitions committee and the formation of a cross party group at Holy rood under the chairmanship of Jean Turner MSP. The next full Solutions Group meeting will be held in Fort William on Friday 20 August and the next TBag meeting will be held on Monday 23 August. D Stewart Maclean 29 June 2004 07836 608 089
Released to the press Tuesday 22 June 2004
REPORT HIGHLIGHTS LACK OF FORWARD PLANNING BY NHS A report, prepared by Sir John Temple, past President of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, last year, and recently released by the Minister for Health and Community Care, Malcolm Chisholm MSP once again highlights the lack of forward strategic planning by NHS Boards in Scotland. The report identifies the serious shortage of doctors and consultants and indicates the high dependency on doctors in training to deliver existing services. By comparison with France, Germany, Netherlands and Spain, each of which has 330 doctors per 100000 of population, Scotland has only 260 doctors per 100000 of population. The report states By 2009, and in order to comply with the Working Time Regulations, we will not have sufficient doctors across all grades to provide 24/7/52 care in every locality and unit functioning today. Whilst the report identifies action steps to improve the recruitment, retention and training of doctors it also states that the current means of delivering service will, in many cases, not be sustainable and redesign (of services) is necessary if the service is to survive. Identifying the Belford as a Remote and Rural Hospital the report states that . it will not be possible for locally based consultant surgeons to provide 24 hour cover in remote hospitals under the Working Time Regulations A spokesperson for TBag said This report focuses on the tools and methods of delivery of NHS services and does not address the requirements and demands of the customers the patients. A lack of planning by the NHS Boards must not be used as a justification for the downgrading of the Belford. In addition the report does not effectively address the issue of safe patient transfer nor does it take account of the broader socio economic consequences of a reduction of NHS services to a community. Richard Carey, former Deputy Chief Executive of NHS Highland, and the most senior NHS Highland representative on the ill fated West Highland Health Services Project was a member of the group which produced this report. Mr Carey was also the most senior NHS Highland representative at the, now famous, meeting in the Nevis Centre last November. The next meeting of the West Highland Health Solutions Group will be held in Oban this Friday. This is the third meeting of the group, which is addressing the challenges faced by the Belford and Oban Hospitals, and is under the Chairmanship of Baroness Michie. The group hope to issue their report by end September 2004.
TBAG RAISES CONCERNS OVER STAFF CHANGES The Belford Action Group (TBag) are highlighting serious concerns over the recent announcement from NHS Highland that two key members of NHS staff involved in the resolution of the Belford Hospital challenges are leaving the organisation. It has been announced that Richard Carey, former Chief Executive of the Acute Trust, will be moving to NHS Grampian and Paul Martin, recently appointed Deputy Chief Executive of NHS Highland will transfer to Scottish Executive Health Division. Richard Carey was the most senior staff member from NHS Highland on the much criticised West Highland Health Project and was a key representative of the NHS at the important meeting in the Nevis Centre in November last year. Paul Martin is the most senior NHS Highland representative on the recently formed West Highlands Health Services Solutions Group and has attended the first two meetings. Spokesperson for TBag, Stewart Maclean, said Losing the contribution of these two senior individuals to the resolution of the challenges facing the Belford destroys the continuity and can only be a setback to the work which we are doing. Whilst we may not have agreed with some of their ideas we were beginning, through the Solutions Group, to develop a working relationship. These staff losses must also, in the short term, limit the resource which NHS Highland can apply to resolving the issues.' The secretary of the West Highland Health Solutions Group was also recently involved in a job transfer and this has resulted in a loss of his full secretarial support. Part of his secretarial role has now been taken over by NHS Highland. Minutes of the Solutions Group meeting held in Glenfinnan on Friday 21 May have not been published at the time of going to press. The West Highland Health Solutions Group will meet for the third time on Friday 25 June under the Chairmanship of Baroness Michie however, progress to date, has been restricted by some members of the group still requiring to be convinced that there are serious challenges to be met in the provision of sustainable Health Services in the West Highlands. Baroness Michie has advised that a report will be issued by the end of September. DSM for The Belford Action Group 07836 608 089
HOSPITAL SOLUTIONS GROUP SECOND MEETING Let no one be in any doubt, unless we succeed in our vision for the Belford and Oban Hospitals the 24/7 acute and accident and emergency services will be downgraded and lives will be lost. This was the stark reminder delivered by Cllr Michael Foxley to a well-attended meeting of the Belford Action Group (TBag) on Monday evening. Michael Foxley was reporting on the second meeting of the West Highland Health Services Solutions Group, which had been held in Glenfinnan last Friday. The TBag meeting was being briefed on the outcome of the latest Solutions Group meeting by a number of Lochaber members of the Solutions Group. They heard that Baroness Ray Michie, chair of the Solutions Group, had said We are not here to support the status quo, we are looking to enhance current services in Fort William and Oban. There will be a change for the better from the status quo. Much has been done by the Lochaber Team since November 2004. The work which has been done by the Lochaber Team had been presented to the Solutions Group by David Sedgwick and Michael Foxley and a discussion website, set up by local IT company Redcat, is being used to develop and take forward this work. It was also reported that the next full Solutions Group meeting will be held on Friday 25 June 2004 in Oban and not Friday 18 June as originally planned. In concluding the report on the Solutions Group meeting Michael Foxley said The Lochaber Team will continue to work on a solution which will provide 24/7 acute services at the Belford Hospital, we are presently auditing current workloads and we will use the Highland Council/ Highlands and Islands Enterprise sponsored economic consultants to financially evaluate the various options. Our solution will ensure that services to Skye and other outlying Community Hospitals will also be enhanced The TBag meeting also heard reports on the very active and successful political lobbying being carried out by a number of the TBag team. The activity included, lobbying of the Scottish Conservative Party in Dundee, a proposal, which was approved, to present a Scotland wide petition to the Scottish Parliament and participation in a recent cross party group which was discussing the loss of hospital consultants in rural areas. TBag participation at a number of upcoming events including the World Mountain Bike Championship and Caol Gala day was confirmed. The next meeting of TBag will be held on Monday 28 June 2004. ANOTHER FIRST FOR THE BELFORD CAMPAIGN BBCs Radio ScotlandsLesley Riddoch Show was broadcast live from Fort William High Street on Tuesday afternoon. A crowd of over 300 surrounded her campervan to participate in, and listen to, a lively debate on the future of rural health services in Scotland and, in particular the threat to 24/7 acute services at the Belford Hospital. The show was opened with the first live radio performance of the Lochaber Schools Pipe Band and with the announcement that the gathering was the largest ever for an outside broadcast from Lesleys campervan. The Health Minister, Malcolm Chisholm, speaking from a Glasgow studio, joined a local panel of Baroness Ray Michie, chair of the Solutions Group, David Sedgwick, consultant at the Belford and John Wrench, Director of Public Health for NHS Highland. However the first half hour of the programme was dedicated to the crowd outside the campervan. Contributions and questions to the Minister came from patients attending the Belford, members of the Belford Action Group and local MSP Fergus Ewing. The central themes were the excellent personal care and friendliness of the staff at the Belford and the tortuous alternative of 4 or 5-hour transfer times over twisting and badly maintained roads. Addressing one of the perceived challenges facing the Belford, Baroness Ray Michie said that there was no consultant recruitment problem in either Oban or Fort William Hospitals and that at present there were no unfilled vacancies. Despite repeated attempts by the shows host the Health Minister, Malcolm Chisholm, would not be drawn on what specific services were under threat at the Belford stating that, as the final decision would rest with him, he could not prejudge the proposals from the Solutions Group or the recommendations of NHS Highland. Solutions which worked for the Stracathro Hospital in Angus were discussed on the programme but it was agreed that these could not easily be transferred to the West Highlands due to the significant differences in distances and the condition of the roads together with the different emphasis on trauma. Speaking after the programme, Baroness Ray Michie said Oban and Fort William are determined to come up with solutions which will prevent any loss of acute services and which will, in fact, enhance existing services The first Solutions Group meeting will be held on Friday 23 April 2004 .
Released to the press Tuesday 16 March 2004
SOLUTIONS GROUP CHAIR APPOINTED The West Highland Health Solutions Group, set up by NHS Highland and NHS Argyll and Clyde to provide answers to the challenges facing the Belford and the Oban and Lorne Hospitals, has finally found a chairperson . Baroness Michie of Gallanach (Ray Michie former Lib /Dem MP for Argyll and the Isles) has agreed to take on the important task. Accepting the appointment, Baroness Michie said The public in Fort William and Oban have shown how strongly they feel about the future of their highly valued health services. They have clearly demonstrated their determination to find ways to maintain and enhance them. Of course, we need to understand the problems and ensure a broad range of expertise and views is focussed, in an optimistic manner, on how this can be achieved. Baroness Michie called for the retention of acute services at both the Belford Hospital and Oban and Lorne Hospital at the public meeting held in Oban last November. NHS Highland agreed to set up the Solutions Group last December following public outrage in Fort William over proposals to downgrade facilities at the Belford Hospital. Although the Solutions Group has not yet met it is anticipated that they will report back to the NHS Boards by the end of the year. The group, which will number around 35 members, includes a broad cross section of representatives from Lochaber. In a statement following the announcement of the appointment the Belford Action Group said We are pleased that Baroness Michie has accepted the challenge of chairmanship of the West Highland Health Solutions Group. This is a difficult but important position . We believe that she will bring a fair and balanced perspective to the chair. The first meeting of the group will be announced shortly.
Cut out and pass to a friend or neighbour
BELFORD PETITION GOES ON LINE The Belford Action Group (TBag) have launched an online petition calling for everyone in Lochaber to register their support for the Belford Hospital and its fight to retain 24/7 accident and emergency facilities and acute services. Dave Wrigglesworth chairperson of the Fort William Retail Association was instrumental in getting the petition on line he says " TBAG has our total support and I hope everyone who has access to a computer will pledge their support online for this vital service. " The petition, which went live last week, but is only being launched in the media today is already receiving over 100 signatures a day. Stewart Maclean, spokesperson for TBag says It is important that everyone in the home signs the petition. The Belford is important for the future of the children and its presence is, I am sure, a great comfort for the older members of our community. Please also help anyone without access to the internet to register their support. Many messages of support and comments on the proposal to downgrade services are now included in the petition. Glen Russell of the Smiddy House, Spean Bridge has commented As Fort William promotes itself as the UK's Outdoor capital it is absolutely absurd that there is consideration to reduce the services available at the Belford. As a local business, we attract a large amount of national and international visitors who come mainly for activities holidays. It is paramount that the Belford remains in it's current status as a minimum.
CAB express concerns over Belford downgrading Following the public meeting at the Nevis Centre on 11th November 2003, Lochaber Citizens Advice Bureau made representations to NHS Highland focusing on the social impact that the loss of 24/7 acute services would have on the Lochaber community. David Rodger, Manager of Lochaber CAB and a member of the Belford Action Group said The increased distances and travelling times for both patients and their families and friends would have significant implications. These would be manifested in a number of ways. There is currently no financial aid for family and friends visiting patients and limited assistance to patients travelling for treatment. Long distances and lengthy journey times will mean spells away from home and even the need for overnight accommodation. This will put additional pressures on families and their employment. An adequate public transport structure does not exist. It is impossible to visit Oban, Raigmore or Paisley by public transport, in the evening, and get back to Lochaber the same night. There is currently no direct public transport between Fort William and Oban on a Sunday. Lochaber has an ageing population. Older members of the community are those most likely to require to use public transport and are the least likely to be able to withstand or afford the long journeys. In the event of a death of a patient at a distant hospital, there will be many implications for the family back in Lochaber, including financial costs, and this at a very difficult and stressful time. Weather conditions will certainly result in hazardous journeys for visitors and patients, and some roads may be impassable. It is not uncommon for the A82 to be blocked for several hours due to accidents or weather conditions. The cumulative effect of these issues will undoubtedly have a negative psychological and financial effect on both patients and their families. We welcome the formation of the solutions group and its wider remit. We hope that a detailed and well researched set of options are developed and presented to the Lochaber Community for consultation, and that ultimately Lochaber can build on the solid foundations that already exist and enhance acute service provision at the Belford Hospital.
Released to the press Tuesday 9 March 2004
TBAG WELCOMES SOCIO ECOMOMIC STUDY The Belford Action Group (TBag) have welcomed the announcement that the Highland Council, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and NHS Highland have commissioned an independent study into the social and economic impact and consequences of any changes to the delivery of health services in the Highlands. It was agreed at a meeting last week that the costs of the study will be shared between the Highland Council and Highlands and Islands Enterprise and that NHS Highland will be fully involved in the process. The study will cover the impact of any change in the delivery of health services on the economy and community services together with the costs and risks to families and individuals. It will also identify practical solutions for the retention and improvement of present services including identifying best practice in other countries. Stewart Maclean, spokesperson for TBag, said This will, for the first time, address the overall effect on the economy of the area of any proposed reduction of health service delivery. We, as a group, firmly believe that the loss to the economy of a reduction in health services will far outweigh any additional costs which may occur in meeting todays health service delivery challenges. The information produced by the study will be very useful to the new Solutions Group. TBag member, Michael Foxley has worked closely with Highland Council Convener, Alison Magee, in identifying the need for this study and in following through on its commissioning. Addition. Quote from Michael Foxley. It is important that Highland Council take a lead on this study as there are important aspects which require immediate assessment and will possibly need an interim report.
TBAG MEETS PETER PEACOCK MSP The Medical members of the Belford Action Group met with Highlands and Islands MSP Peter Peacock when he was in Fort William last week. The Medical Group which included, Consultant Anaesthetists, Charles Leeson-Payne and Jim Mackay, Consultant Surgeon, David Sedgwick and local GPs, Chris Robinson and Michael Foxley had an extended meeting with the MSP and Highland Council Area Convenor Olwyn MacDonald.
The group were able to detail their action plan for resolving the challenges facing the provision of 24/7 acute services at the Belford Hospital and Peter Peacock was very interested in the work which was being carried out in relation to resolving perceived recruitment problems, consultant skilling and the new working time contracts. Discussion also took place on proposals to change training programmes in order to ensure a supply of generalist consultants for the future. Peter Peacock said I am very impressed with the joint cooperation between Consultants, GPs, Highland Council and the broader community and I believe that this, together with the geography of the West Highlands and the socio economic consequence of any changes in the delivery of health services, are the key strengths of your campaign. It is very important that your proposals are given detailed and full consideration by the Solutions Group
HOSPITAL PROTEST GROUPS MEET IN GLASGOW Representatives of the Belford Action Group (TBag) travelled to Glasgow last Saturday to meet up with Hospital Campaigners from all over Scotland. The meeting was called by the Save Stobhill Campaign in order to share the concerns and fears of like-minded groups from around Scotland and to develop a plan for the way ahead. Ten groups attended the meeting, which was also attended by Dr Jean Turner MSP, elected to the Scottish Parliament at the last election on the back of the Stobhill Campaign and Dr Keiran Deeny MLA, elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly just a few weeks ago on a similar save our hospitals platform. The Oban and Lorne Hospital was not represented at the meeting. The meeting listened to presentations from groups from as far North as Caithness to as far East as Fife, all groups with a common feeling of frustration that, despite protests, petitions and meetings with Ministers the Government and the NHS were not listening to their concerns and fears. David Sedgwick, speaking as a representative of TBag, called for a focus on the training of generalist surgeons, physicians and nursing staff, which he said was essential for the retention of hospital services in rural areas. The meeting agreed to form a National Umbrella Organisation and to demand a meeting, within the next two weeks, with the First Minister, the Health Minister and the Chief Executive of NHS Scotland. The meeting also heard calls for the resignation of the Chief Executive of NHS Scotland and for further candidates to stand at future elections on a Save our Health Services manifesto. A group coordinator was appointed. Mary Bruce and Patricia Jordan, both representing TBag, said that the trip and the meeting had been very worthwhile and ensured that the fight to retain services at the Belford Hospital kept up its National profile.
Released to the press Tuesday 17 February 2004
NHS HIGHLAND AGREES REMIT OF SOLUTIONS GROUP NHS Highland and NHS Argyll and Clyde have issued an agreed remit for the Solutions Group which has been set up to tackle the challenges facing the Belford and Lorn Hospitals. The group, to be called the West Highland Health Solutions Group , will report directly to the two Health Boards and is tasked with providing detailed practical solutions for the future delivery of health services to Lochaber and Oban. The new group replaces the much-criticised West Highland Health Services Project. The membership of the group, which will include health professionals, councillors and community and business representatives, will be announced shortly with the first meeting planned for early March. An independent chairperson has yet to be appointed. Commenting on the remit, Belford Action Group spokesman, Stewart Maclean said The remit incorporates a number of the recommendations proposed by TBag including the appointment of an independent chairperson and full transparency regarding costs of existing services. It is anticipated that a number of smaller working groups will be formed under the umbrella of the Solutions Group and it remains the view of the Belford Action Group that there must be a separate working group for each Hospital. TBag welcome the statement that the solution for one area should not be at the expense of the other. TBag will be discussing the Solutions Group at their meeting tonight (Wednesday) at 7pm in the Alexandra Hotel, Fort William. The meeting is open to the public as observers.
TBAG GIVES UNANIMOUS SUPPORT TO SOLUTIONS GROUP At its third meeting, held last Wednesday night, the Belford Action Group (TBag) gave its unanimous support to the new Solutions Group and expressed the hope that solutions, agreeable to all parties, would be produced timeously. TBag reviewed the remit for the Solutions Group and noted that many of the points raised by them as a group and as individuals had been incorporated into the final document. A list of members of the Solutions Group was also reviewed and a strong representation from Lochaber was welcomed. The Solutions Group, which will meet for the first time in the middle of March, will take a fresh view of the challenges facing both the Belford Hospital and the Oban Hospital. Although comprising over 30 members the main work of the group will take place in sub groups and it is still TBags view that one sub group should look specifically at the problems facing the Belford. Meetings are planned to take place in Oban and Fort William and it is hoped that a conclusion can be reached by the Autumn. The decision of the Solutions Group will then, most probably, have to go out for public consultation before a final decision is taken by the Scottish Executive. At its latest meeting TBag also reviewed a draft action plan which they believe addresses the challenges of recruitment, training, additional staffing and building requirements. It is hoped to publish the action plan after the next meeting which will be held on Tuesday 23 March. The plans for the lobby of the Labour Party Conference in Inverness on Saturday 28 February are now well in hand. These plans include a display of 5900 tea bags, one to represent each letter written to NHS Highland by Lochaber residents, placards, leaflets, the wearing of hospital uniforms, wheelchairs and stretchers. You can see all of this outside Edencourt Theatre if you are in Inverness on Saturday morning. Car stickers bearing the words Support the Belford will, hopefully, be appearing shortly.
Released to the press Tuesday 3 February 2004
WEST HIGHLAND HEALTH SERVICES PROJECT NO MORE At a meeting of NHS Highland Board held on Tuesday in Inverness it was agreed that the West Highland Health Services Project would no longer exist and would be replaced by a Solutions Group reporting directly to NHS Highland and NHS Argyll and Clyde. The West Highland Health Services Project had become synonymous with the proposed down grading of the Belford Hospital since the heated public meeting in the Nevis Centre, Fort William last November. Most appropriately the Projects final meeting was held in Fort William last week, less than three months since its inevitable demise began at the Nevis Centre. Despite moves by some members of the project to have it continued but they were told they would have to move on. Stewart Maclean, the Belford Action Group, who attended the Board meeting in Inverness with Cllr Olwyn MacDonald said This is a very positive step as it is important that the Solutions Group starts with a clean sheet . The remit of the Solutions Group was discussed at the Board meeting and both Cllr Olwyn MacDonald and Stewart Maclean were invited to address the Board on this subject. The Belford Action Group (TBag) had previously written to Dr Roger Gibbins on this subject (see letter). Stewart Maclean said that the NHS Board were acting on a number of the points raised by TBag including, the formation of focussed sub groups, the basis of the affordability of any proposals and the appointment of an independent chair to the Solutions Group. It is planned that the first meeting of the new Solutions Group will be held later this month or early in March. and that it will be working to a defined and tight timescale.
Released to the press Monday 26 January 2004
SEVEN-HOUR ORDEAL FOR SKYE MUM Is this the future for Lochaber residents The horrific story of Skye mum, Lynn Bennet, who claims that she nearly died during her seven hour transfer from Portree Hospital to Raigmore hospital, serves as a stark warning to what could be the future for Lochaber residents should NHS Highland downgrade the facilities at the Belford Hospital, says Stewart Maclean, spokesman for the Belford Action Group. He adds Although we have no knowledge of the specific reasons for the long transfer time the undisputed fact is that it took seven hours to transfer a patient from Portree to Inverness a distance of just 114 miles. With the present services provided at the Belford it is highly likely that, should Mrs Bennet have been in the Lochaber area, she would have treated locally without the ordeal of the seven hour road and air transfer. Highland Conservative MSP Mary Scanlon said Mrs Bennett's case should put the proposed downgrading of the Belford in context. This case should highlight the problems. People living in the Highlands have a right to be worried about the current proposals. This case has to be examined to see if lessons can be learned." The Belford Action Group are looking closely at transfer times and methods of transport as part of their review of the challenges facing the Belford. Stewart Maclean said This case highlights the fact that a patient transfer which can take under three hours in ideal circumstances can take more that double that time when things do not go exactly to plan. When lives are concerned we cannot afford to assume that a transfer will not face some delay. ONE SOLUTIONS GROUP? It appears that, despite representations from the Lochaber Medical Group and The Belford Action Group (TBag), there will only be one Solutions Group to resolve the challenges facing the Belford and In response to a request that the Solutions Group membership be independent Dr. Roger Gibbins said I agree that all of us need to move on from the rather polarised debate that has occurred to date and to enter this next phase with an open mind focusing on the best possible sustainable solution that we can achieve for our community. He went on to support the TBag proposal that the Solutions Group should include expertise in social and economic matters. TBag had highlighted the fact that comments made and views expressed by individuals during the recent debate raised concerns about the independence of any new group. There was a glimmer of hope from Dr Gibbins when he indicated that he was confident that the next phase of work would be undertaken in such a way as to enable the group to really focus down on the particular issues of concern in Lochaber as well as these issues of common interest. The Lochaber Medical Group met with Dr Gibbins as recently as last Wednesday in order to detail the reasons behind the necessity for a Solutions Group for the Belford. It is anticipated that the remit and membership of the Solutions Group will be issued shortly and it will be finalised at the NHS Highland and NHS Argyll and Clyde Board meetings in February however there is no timetable for the work of the group. At the TBag meeting on Tuesday evening the Group once again expressed their unanimous view that NHS Highland should take on board the requirement for the unique challenges facing the Belford to be considered by a dedicated Solutions Group TBag agreed to await the draft remit and membership for the Solutions group before deciding on the next steps. It was hoped that this would be available within the next few days.
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