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Health Secretary to raise travel concerns for orthopaedic patients who now have to travel to Inverness with NHS Highland

NHS Highland says extra capacity in Inverness will drive down waiting lists across the north, but concerns have been raised it will mean more travelling for patients.

Edward Mountain in a checked shirt in a field in front of Raigmore hospital in Inverness.
Highlands and Islands MSP Edward Mountain is concerned about extra journeys for patients. Image: Sandy McCook/DC Thomson

Concerns have been raised about NHS Highland withdrawing orthopaedic consultations from Golspie and Wick.

Instead, patients will have to travel to Inverness to discuss aches and pains they have in  their bones, joints and muscles.

NHS Highland says minor surgeries will continue elsewhere and extra capacity at the new National Treatment Centre in Inverness will reduce waiting times across the region.

However, Health Secretary Michael Matheson says he will now raise the issue with NHS Highland to ensure all local options for patients are explored.

Warnings of ‘painful journeys’ for patients

However, Highlands and Islands MSP Edward Mountain has concerns the changes could lead to more travelling for Sutherland and Caithness patients.

He said: “There used to be staff that went and saw lists of patients in Golspie and the Caithness General in Wick, which was really helpful to patients there.

“They’ve stopped that now, which means patients are now going to have to travel to Inverness, which is ridiculous because it will mean long and potentially painful journeys by bus or car.

Exterior view of main sign and building of Caithness General Hospital with a black car parked outside.
Edward Mountain is eager to see rural hospitals, including Caithness General, used as much as possible. Image: Ben Hendry/DC Thomson

“Major surgeries have always been done in Inverness, so these appointments would typically be for pain management treatments prior to operations, but it’s better for patients to be assessed and get minor treatment closer to their homes.”

NHS Highland says there was a specific focus to reduce orthopaedic waiting lists during the Covid pandemic when access to operating theatres was limited.

The Press & Journal has previously reported patients in the north have had to wait more than a year to see a consultant.

‘Great news for the Highlands’

NHS Highland says that extra orthopaedic capacity in Inverness will continue to drive down waiting lists across the region, including Wick and Golspie.

A spokeswoman said: “With the opening of the National Treatment Centre – Highland, alongside the existing Raigmore orthopaedic theatre capacity, our orthopaedic services now have access to 4.4 theatres for elective surgery on a weekly basis which is more than double the previous capacity.

Exterior view of National Treatment Centre in Inverness with sign pointing to main entrance.
NHS Highland says the new National Treatment Centre in Inverness will drive down waiting lists across the north. Image: Sandy McCook/DC Thomson

“This is great news for the people of Highland and will in turn significantly reduce waiting times for surgery.

“During the Covid-19 pandemic, when access to elective theatres for major surgery was limited, the orthopaedic team focused on reducing the outpatient waiting list, this has resulted in the majority of patients now waiting under one year for an outpatient appointment.

“Outpatient appointments are delivered at a range of locations across NHS Highland.  The orthopaedic team is working hard to reduce waiting lists and we will be modernising our service delivery models.”

Health Secretary to raise concerns with NHS Highland

Mr Mountain raised the concerns of patients with Health Secretary Michael Matheson today in the Scottish Parliament.

The Highlands and Islands MSP said appointments in Golspie and Sutherland had been “extremely useful” for patients in the north.

Mr Matheson agreed the distance patients should have to travel for appointments should be minimised whenever possible.

He added: “I would certainly want to encourage NHS Highland to look at how they can minimise the need for patients to travel to Raigmore where possible and, if there is scope for further procedures to be undertaken at Caithness General Hospital including review visits where possible.

“I will certainly make sure that I raise this issue with the (NHS Highland) board in order to encourage them to look at what further action they can take to address the concerns that have been raised by Mr Mountain.”

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