Western Isles NHS has been urged to be straightforward with the Barra community after sparking “concern and anxiety” with its “disturbing” announcement over the future of medical services for Barra and Vatersay.
Out of the blue the community was informed of the intent to redesign the GP’s out-
Barra Medical Practice -
But the health board’s intention with the “timing and incomplete content” of its announcement is “difficult to understand” said the island’s two GPs.
Local councillor Donald Manford hit out at the board’s “extraordinary timing” which has caused “significant concern and anxiety throughout the community and raises a number of disturbing questions.”
He has fired off a number of questions to the health authority, urging it to “level” with the islands’ community councillors and the public.
Barra Medical Practice stated: “Whilst disappointed not to be involved with shaping the St Brendan’s services, the health board’s plans would be a positive step for the island.
“We look forward to working with new team and hope the medical director will take the time to visit Barra to see the realities of working in the most isolated medical facilities in the UK.”
They revealed Barra Medical Practice was promised a new contract for St Brendan’s/Out of Hours. But in June the new medical director informed them he “did not intend to proceed” with this commitment.
“Instead, his vision is that St Brendan’s will be run like Broadford Hospital with visiting employed emergency and rural GP doctors, as is also the case on Uist,” said a statement from the medical practice.
Concerns over the “likely inability” of recruiting a replacement for a retiring GP to undertake the current workload led to the medical practice lodging its notice of its intention to withdraw from covering St Brendan’s.
“This is to ensure the continuation of GP services on the island. We have had no further input from the health board until the press release on Friday,” highlighted the medical practice.
Health board slammed for causing “concern and anxiety” over hospital cover
27 November 2020