North Harris GP cover

Western Isles NHS are "reassuring" North Harris residents following fears that the out-of-hours GP service is not working after a series of incidents.

For the last 12 months, the GP surgery in North Harris does not make house calls at night nor weekends.

Instead, patients are told to make their way to the nearest cover in Stornoway on Lewis - a return journey of up to 120 miles for some.

People have endured the trip in bad weather in the middle of the night to attend the out-of-hours doctor based at the Western Isles Hospital.

Others were reluctant to call for help until the local surgery re-opened.

Now the health board will post advice leaflets to affected patients.

Dr Angus McKellar, medical director, said: “Whilst the leaflet is already available in several locations in Harris, including the GP surgery, we do think it important that a mailing takes place to each household to give further reassurance.”

Health board's "reassurance" over out-of-hours GP cover

3 November 2015